January 14 2025

Abby Medcalf, PhD

Topic:

Boundaries

Description:

The answer to almost any issue clients have is to be better skilled at creating and maintaining boundaries. The research shows that creating and maintaining healthy boundaries leads to better emotional regulation, improved sobriety, more effective communication, feeling less anxious and

depressed, more satisfying relationships, having more confidence and feeling less overwhelmed. This presentation will teach EAPS and Mental Health Clinicians tools to help clients understand what boundaries really are, how to identify them and actionable tools for how to hold them when situations become difficult.

Goals:

1. By the end of the presentation participants will learn what boundaries are and aren't
2. By the end of the presentation participants will be able to explain the different components of boundaries
3. By the end of the presentation participants will be able to explain and discuss fie actionable tools for helping employees and clients hold boundaries in difficult situations

Objectives:

1. Participants will be able to name the four keys to holding boundaries
2. Participants will be able to understand and integrate at least five actionable tools for situations where it's difficult to hold boundaries

Bio:

Abby Medcalf is a Relationship Maven, psychologist, author, podcast host and Tedx speaker who has helped thousands of people think differently so they can create connection, ease and joy in their relationships (especially the one with yourself)! With her unique background in both business and counseling, she brings a fresh, effective perspective to life’s struggles using humor, research and her

direct, no-nonsense style. With over 35 years of experience, Abby is a recognized authority and sought-after speaker at organizations such as Google, Apple, AT&T, Kaiser, PG&E, American Airlines and Chevron. She’s been a featured expert on CBS and ABC news, and has been a contributor to the New York Times, Women’s Health, Psychology Today, Fast Company,

Well+Good, Bored Panda and Bustle.

She’s the author of the #1 Amazon best-selling book, “Be Happily Married, Even if Your Partner Won’t Do a Thing,” as well as the newly released Boundaries Made Easy, and the host of the top-rated “Relationships Made Easy” Podcast now in over 170 countries.

Outline:

This presentation will use a PowerPoint structural base but will be interactive.

Participants will be taught the three-step process for creating effective

boundaries while learning what boundaries are/aren’t. Then they’ll be walked through the four keys to holding boundaries (along with actionable tools):

• Self-awareness
• Mindfulness
• Learning how to say “no” effectively
• Loving detachment

Next, they’ll be asked to share how they can apply these tools to their work with clients

Lastly, we’ll review specific scenarios where holding boundaries is difficult and how they might help their clients problem-solve these areas:

• When clients feel guilty for setting a boundary
• When clients have difficulty setting boundaries at work
• When clients feel resentful of others for “trampling” their boundaries
• When others are passive aggressive when clients set boundaries