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Learn the proven system that’s helped 2,000+ trauma survivors reduce symptoms by 77.9% in just 4.5 months without therapy or medication 👉 https://overcomingptsd.com/

Relationship Boundaries for PTSD Recovery: How to Say No Without Guilt

Host: Brad Schipke • Overcoming PTSD Podcast • Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching

In this Boundary Bootcamp session, Brad and Kayleen dive into one of the most misunderstood skills in trauma recovery: relationship boundaries. Instead of seeing boundaries as walls or punishment, they reframe them as the structure that lets you live a healthy, sustainable life while healing PTSD or trauma.

You’ll hear real stories from their own relationship—times when there were no boundaries, when yelling and chaos ruled, and when things finally changed because one of them said, “This is no longer okay.” They walk through how painful it can feel in the moment, and how powerful it becomes in the long term for both people.

Brad and Kayleen also break down the difference between emotional reactions and solid, non-emotional boundaries—how to decide what your limit is, how to express it calmly, and how to enforce it even when someone pushes back, gets upset, or tries to pull you back into old patterns.

By the end of this episode, you’ll understand how to identify where you need boundaries, how to communicate them clearly, and how to hold your ground without screaming, collapsing, or people-pleasing—so you can protect your healing, your energy, and your future.

💡 What You’ll Learn

How to recognize when a relationship or situation needs a boundary because you leave feeling worse about yourself

The essential difference between emotional outbursts and calm, factual boundary setting

A step-by-step process for defining, communicating, and enforcing relationship boundaries

How unhealed trauma and low self-worth lead to people-pleasing and boundary-less relationships

Ways to set boundaries around yelling, abusive language, and hurtful texting while healing PTSD

How to protect your bedtime, energy, and goals without feeling selfish or guilty

Why enforcing a boundary matters more than getting someone to agree with or “like” it

How holding firm on boundaries can actually improve relationships and inspire others to grow

Practical examples of what to say when you need space, time alone, or a break from emotional overload

🧠 Key Takeaway

Boundaries are not emotional explosions—they’re calm, clear decisions about what you will and will not allow so you can respect yourself and protect your healing.

🔗 Next Steps

Subscribe for new weekday episodes from the Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching archive.

To go deeper or work with Brad directly, visit https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 – Welcome to Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching & Boundary Bootcamp

Topics Covered:

PTSD recovery • trauma healing • relationship boundaries • emotional boundaries • internal boundaries • external boundaries • people-pleasing after trauma • PTSD and relationships • trauma coping tools • emotional regulation • nervous system regulation • yelling and conflict in relationships • communication skills for trauma survivors • self-worth and boundaries • enforcing boundaries calmly • stopping abusive patterns • trauma-informed relationship tools • healing after toxic relationships • Overcoming PTSD Podcast • Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching