When People Hurt You

Healing and Setting Boundaries

When People Hurt You: Healing and Setting Boundaries is a gentle but powerful guide for anyone who has spent too many years saying “yes” when every part of them whispered “no.” Adapted from real experiences and grounded in psychological research, this book helps readers finally understand what boundaries are, why they matter, and how to set them without guilt, apology, or fear.

Through relatable stories and clear explanations, Dr. Patricia A. Farrell shows how emotional exhaustion, resentment, physical stress, and relationship imbalance almost always point to one painful truth: we’ve lost sight of our own limits. Whether the challenge is an overbearing relative, a demanding partner, workplace pressure, or lifelong people-pleasing patterns, this book explains why boundary setting feels so difficult—and why it is essential for emotional well-being.

Readers learn how to:
• Recognize the physical and emotional signals that a boundary has been crossed
• Communicate limits calmly and confidently
• Stand firm when others resist, manipulate, or push back
• Break the cycle of guilt, overgiving, and resentment
• Build relationships that honor mutual respect and emotional safety

Empathic, clear, and deeply reassuring, this pocket guide gives readers permission to protect their time, their energy, and their inner peace—without becoming unkind or withdrawing from the people they love. Instead, it helps them build a life that feels more honest, more balanced, and far more compassionate toward themselves.