5 Strategies for Effective Limit Setting in Human Services

A key component of our cornerstone Nonviolent Crisis Intervention^®  Training is effectively setting limits to decelerate risk behavior and defuse a potential crisis. In service-oriented settings such as family counseling, social work, juvenile services, and foster care, this concept is about more than preventing a major crisis; it’s also a way of identifying positive, constructive solutions to your clients’ everyday challenges.

Whether your career finds you on the frontline, working directly with individuals exhibiting challenging behaviors, or you’ve taken on a supportive or administrative position, we all have a role to play in ensuring a safer workplace.

These five strategies will help you redirect verbal escalation into a positive resolution.

1. The Purpose of Setting Limits is to Teach, Not Punish

It is important for your clients to understand that their actions, whether positive or negative, lead to predictable consequences. Presenting practical, motivating choices and outcomes provides a structure for good decision-making. Giving the individuals in your care the ability to choose empowers them. When it is necessary to enforce the consequences that have been established, it provides a structured way for them to learn.

2. You Can’t Force Someone to Behave in a Certain Way

While you can’t control or force someone to behave in a certain way, you can offer choices that teach and reinforce appropriate behavior. This limit-setting reminder can often feel challenging as it requires patience and consistency, as do many challenging interactions. Remembering that the only behavior you can control is your own helps you self-regulate so that you can ensure a successful outcome for everyone.

3. Be Clear, Speak Simply, and Offer Positive Choices First

Use personal space and nonverbal communication intentionally. A person who is upset may not be able to focus on everything you say. When it is time to speak, be clear, speak simply, and offer a positive choice first. If you don’t state the positive choice first, they may not even hear it.

4. See the Situation from the Client’s Point of View

Empathic listening—listening to understand and see the other person’s perspective—plays a key role in limit-setting situations. This fosters rapport that sets the stage for successful problem-solving. Knowing the individuals in your care better helps you to recognize the causes of behavior and find solutions.

5. Setting Limits Means Offering Choices with Consequences

It’s important to remember that limits should not be phrased as threats. For example, saying, “If you don’t attend group, your weekend privileges will be suspended” uses an ultimatum to gain the wanted behavior. This approach of forcing behavior often leads to a power struggle.

Effective limits offer choices with consequences, such as, “If you attend group, you’ll be able to go to all the activities this weekend. If you don’t attend group, you’ll have to stay behind. It’s your decision.” By offering choices with consequences, you admit that you cannot force a client’s decision. But you can decide what will happen as a result of their choices.

Limit Setting for Better Outcomes

By incorporating these strategies into your client interactions, you can create a safer and more constructive environment, leading to better outcomes for your clients. Embrace the power of setting limits not only to deal with immediate challenges, but also to proactively establish a foundation for improved client rapport and quality care.

Additional Resources for Optimal Client Support

Explore our additional resources to help support your essential work:

• Trauma-Informed Care
• Top 10 De-escalation Tips
• Seven Tips for Effective Verbal Intervention