Books About Setting Healthy Boundaries
Recapping what we mean when we talk about boundary setting, our article called How to Set Healthy Boundaries provides a detailed description of what it means to set boundaries and how to do it. Relationship boundaries are interpersonal limits we set to delineate what is acceptable to us in relationships in order for us to feel safe.
As awareness about the importance of wellbeing and the link to boundary setting remains center stage, the demand for resources on boundary setting continues to grow, and the number of books being published about the topic is growing exponentially.
These boundary books all seem to offer unique perspectives, insights, and strategies for cultivating healthy boundaries, and it can be overwhelming to try to figure out where to start. We’ve done some groundwork and explored a selection of these books to compile a list of the best boundary-setting books for you.
In the fields of psychology and coaching, several renowned figures have made significant contributions to research and work regarding boundary setting. Their work advocates for the importance of boundary setting in fostering healthy relationships, maintaining personal wellbeing, and achieving emotional growth. It also provides guidelines about how to set boundaries in a healthy way so that you can build bridges rather than just burn them.
Some of the big names include Brené Brown, Anne Katherine, Melody Beattie, Harriet Lerner, Henry Cloud, and John Townsend. This list is far from exhaustive, but it does provide a good foundation of the notable authors in the field.
The next sections will provide a list of the books written by some of these authors as well as other notable books that we found through our research. They look at setting healthy boundaries in the context of a relationship with oneself, with family and friends, and at work. The last collection of books is a set of workbooks for therapists and clients.
3 Healthy Boundaries Books for Relationship With Self
Relationship building starts with our relationship with ourselves, and learning to set internal boundaries serves as a form of self-care and self-protection, allowing you to honor your needs, values, and boundaries in all aspects of your life (Tawwab, 2021).
These next three books highlight ways that boundary setting helps to establish a framework of self-respect, self-care, and personal integrity.
1. Setting Healthy Boundaries: A Guide to Improving Your Self-Esteem, Building Self-Confidence, and Setting Yourself Free – Mary Ann Hill
If you’re feeling as though you’re giving so much of yourself to everyone else and nothing is left for you, then this book could be for you.
Setting Healthy Boundaries unpacks some of the reasons we find it so hard to set boundaries and how to overcome those challenges.
It will help you determine your values and needs, identify where your boundaries lie, respect others while respecting yourself, improve your self-esteem and self-confidence, communicate effectively, expand self-care practices, and set appropriate boundaries in relationships.
Find the book on Amazon.
2. Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself – Nedra Glover Tawwab
Written by one of Instagram’s most influential therapists, this book explains the complex topic of boundary setting within the context of today’s world.
Rooted in the latest research and best practices used in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Set Boundaries, Find Peace presents simple-yet-powerful ways to establish healthy boundaries in all aspects of life.
Offering additional tools, it comes with a workbook, a boxed calendar, and a flip chart to help you and your clients set healthy limits, develop fulfilling relationships, and reclaim your worth.
Find the book on Amazon.
3. Boundaries: Where You End and I Begin – Anne Katherine
This may be an older book, but it still has relevance for the challenges of today. It starts with an overview of what boundaries are and how to identify when your boundaries are being violated.
The author describes specific and practical ways to identify your boundaries and how to communicate and implement those boundaries in a healthy way.
The book provides personal accounts and practical exercises to change the habits that may be inadvertently perpetuating a boundary-less way of being.
Find the book on Amazon.
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