All relationships need boundaries. A boundary is an imaginary line that separates me from you. They separate physical space, feelings, needs and responsibilities from others. Your boundaries also tell other people how they can treat you, meaning what is acceptable and what is not. Without boundaries, people may take advantage of you because you have not set limits about how you expect to be treated.

Setting boundaries is an important part of establishing one’s identity and is a crucial aspect of mental health and well-being. Boundaries can be physical or emotional, and they can range from loose to rigid, with healthy boundaries often falling somewhere in between.

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Kelsey Lange is a clinical social work intern at Joan and Stanford Alexander Jewish Family Service Behavioral and Mental Health services. Lange will graduate with a master’s in social work in May, with a concentration in clinical work from Baylor University’s Diana Garland School of Social Work.