​SETTING BOUNDARIES KINDLY

​

1. Express appreciation.

2. Say no (for now).

3. Explain why not.

4. Be vulnerable and empathetic. 

5. Say whether the door might be open in the future or offer an alternative if that is possible.

6. Acknowledge connection.

​

"I am honored that you trust me enough to ask for my help with that. I am very sorry to tell you that I'm not available at this time to be able to meet your needs. I have more patients than ever before and unfortunately the healthcare system is not set up to allow me to have a lower caseload, so I have to let people down fairly often. It's one of the hardest parts of my job and I wish it were different. I imagine that is quite disappointing for you. If you would like, I will see if there is someone else who can help you. Again, I'm very sorry; you've been a great patient and I wish all my patients had as positive an outlook as you do. 

​

Here is the breakdown of the steps:

​

Express appreciation:

"I am honored that you trust me enough to ask for my help with that."

 

Say no (for now):

"I am very sorry to tell you that I'm not available at this time to be able to meet your needs."

 

Explain:

"I have more patients than ever before and unfortunately the healthcare system is not set up to allow me to have a lower caseload, so I have to let people down fairly often."

​

Be vulnerable and empathetic:

"It's one of the hardest parts of my job and I wish it were different. I imagine that is quite disappointing for you."

​

Say whether the door might be open in the future or offer an alternative if that is possible:

"If you would like, I will see if there is someone else who can help you."  

 

Acknowledge connection:

"Again, I'm very sorry; you've been a great patient and I wish all my patients had as positive an outlook as you do.” 

​​