How Do I Set Boundaries With Family? A Guide To Surviving The Holidays

In this special holiday episode, Katrina P. Mautner, a queer trauma-informed therapist, joins Kristie and Felicia to talk everything on setting boundaries with family. Drawing from Katrina’s anti-oppressive and harm reduction framework, they break down boundaries as a tool for connection—defining them as the distance at which you can love both yourself and the other person.

Some takeaways:
How boundaries actually allow us to deepen relationships and say "yes" more freely
Surviving difficult moments with "strategic avoidance" and internal boundaries
Applying a harm reduction lens to deescalate family conflict, even imperfectly

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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
01:30 Why Boundaries Actually Deepen Relationships
04:45 Enforcing Boundaries: Control Your Actions, Not Theirs
08:30 Harm Reduction & Strategic Avoidance
12:30 A Tactical Guide to Setting Effective Boundaries
16:15 Tailoring Boundaries for Different Family Members
18:30 Story: Thanksgiving Conflict & Parenting Styles
24:45 How to Handle Parenting Clashes & Ultimatums
34:45 Creating a Self-Care Plan (The "Back Pocket" Card)
37:15 What Katrina Mautner Really Thinks about Boundaries
41:30 The "Therapy Buffet" Technique
42:30 Final Thoughts & Resources

*Hosts: Kristie Plantinga and Felicia Keller Boyle
*Watch full episodes on YouTube: What Your Therapist Thinks:    / @whatyourtherapistthinks  
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*Brought to you by BestTherapists.com: http://BestTherapists.com
*Produced by PodVision: https://pod.vision

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This podcast is for entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care. If you’re struggling, please reach out to a licensed therapist or call your local crisis line for support.