With the holiday season in full swing, it's the time of year when families, friends, and colleagues come together to celebrate. In a perfect world, these get-togethers would be fun, stress-free events. Our world, though, is unfortunately not a perfect one, and there are usually a few interpersonal relationships with which we struggle. Licensed professional counselor Laurie Burns LCSW-R CGP has been offering counseling services to the residents of the Rochester area for more than 20 years. Here, she shares three tips for managing challenging relationships this holiday season.

• Establish & Maintain Boundaries: Boundaries protect us, safeguard our health and well-being, and keep us away from unsafe people and situations. The holidays are an ideal time to set boundaries and stick to them. It is important to understand that no one can fully meet all of our needs, nor can we fully meet the needs of another person; this understanding is where healthy boundary-making begins. Schedule a professional counseling session with Laurie for help with identifying and establishing your boundaries.
• Live In The Now: When surrounded by family members and other individuals with whom you share a long and complex history, it's easy to be pulled into the issues of the past. Try to live as mindfully as you can in the present moment, and enjoy the benefits this can bring. Every time you feel yourself being sucked into the past, gently pull your attention to the here and now. Your holiday festivities will likely be a lot more festive.
• Accept Differences: Relationships, whether with spouses, family members, friends, or colleagues, can sometimes be messy and chaotic and full of friction. Most of this unease lies in the fact that we have fundamental differences on certain subjects, be they personal, familial, or political. Choose to respect those differences for the time being, and stop trying to change someone else. The only person you can change is yourself. Let Laurie help you make the changes you want to see in your life.

Call Laurie Burns LCSW-R CGP at (585) 734-6826 or visit her online to schedule an individual, couples, or family counseling session. Don't let the drama of a tense interpersonal relationship ruin your holiday celebrations. Get the support you need, and call Laurie today.