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Picture a rough morning: your coffee spills, your inbox is a nightmare, and the day feels like an unclimbable peak. Then you do something small, like crossing one task off your to do list or taking a moment to breathe deeply. Suddenly you feel a spark, a little lift that makes the day seem doable. That is your brain’s reward system at work, driven by dopamine, and it is why small wins can transform how you feel. You have heard me talk about dopamine plenty in our sessions, probably to the point of rolling your eyes, but let us unpack why it is such a big deal and how your brain is wired to chase these moments of joy.

As a therapist, I’ve spent years guiding people toward boundaries, those quiet, powerful lines that protect our peace. Lately, though, I’ve noticed something unsettling. “Boundary” has become a buzzword that has strayed from its roots. I hear it in sessions and casual chats alike. “My boundary is that you can’t do this” or “My boundary is you need to act that way.” Clients come to me carrying loads of resentment, weighed down by their inability to change those around them, perpetually let down, hurt, or frustrated. This isn’t a mere quibble over words. It threatens the self-care boundaries are meant to provide. So, let’s dive in: what are they really, and why does this matter so deeply?

Ever swallow a sharp reply when someone cuts you off mid-sentence and wish you’d let it rip instead? Therapy’s where you practice that, no bridges burned.
Therapy is your space to tackle life’s real stuff. You’ve felt it: that moment you say “I’m good” when you’re anything but, just to avoid the follow-up questions. Or when a casual comment from a friend slices deeper than they meant, and you brush it off instead of speaking up. Therapy’s where you test the words you’ve kept locked up, like “I’m not okay” or “That hit me hard,” without the fallout. It’s a testing ground for the adult chaos you’re navigating, but it only works with the right therapist. The wrong one’s a dead end; the right one makes it safe to air the baggage you’ve hauled around for years.

Over the years, I’ve worked with many people who have been diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), and one thing has become clear—there is a lot of misunderstanding about what BPD actually is.