Map of Relationships
I made this map that illustrates both a provider and client, each with (at least) four tentacles connected by a bridge. The bridge is labelled “the boundaried container where we meet to do the work”. This imagery comes from boundaries teacher Eliah Pritchard, who explains boundaries as a bridge between individuals, where we meet (or don’t), rather than a fortress keeping people out. I like this idea as it feels like it demonstrates that the choice to meet or be in connection is something that both parties have agency in.
The four labelled tentacles of the client are,
- breath/center
- self-care/worth
- counseling/friends/partners
- Intentions/desires
The four labeled tentacles of the practitioner are,
- training/knowledge
- Practice community/colleagues/supervision
- Personal care resourcing
- compassion/desire to meet/hold/help
The bridge is like a rope bridge, with components making up the slats of the deck including:
- Time
- Rates
- Protocols
- Masks (in person)
- Touch negotiations
- Cancellations
- Confidentiality
- Non-judgement
- Built comfort + trust
- Limits of scope
- Assessment/Discernment
- Communication
- Safe-enough
- Generative conflict
- Power / Agency
