MysticMag meets Marisa Ferrera, a compassionate guide empowering heart-centered women to navigate family conflicts and create healthy boundaries. Marisa’s journey of self-discovery began when she realized she had been sacrificing her own needs to maintain peace. Through years of self-work, including counseling and stepping outside her comfort zone, she learned to love herself and express her authentic truth. Now, Marisa helps others reclaim their power, recognizing their magnificence to live with peace and joy. Whether through coaching or her own inspiring example, Marisa shows that honoring oneself is key to creating fulfilling relationships and a life you love.
Marisa, what inspired you to focus your work on helping heart-centered women create healthy boundaries and harmonious family relationships?
My inspiration comes from my own journey of healing from childhood trauma and abuse. Through years of inner work and self-reflection, I learned to create healthy boundaries and harmonious relationships with my family, husband, and friends. This personal transformation wasn’t just about setting boundaries; it was about gaining the self-awareness, self-confidence, and communication skills I needed in order to navigate conflicts peacefully and authentically.
Having experienced the profound impact of this personal growth, I’m deeply passionate about sharing what I’ve learned with others who may be struggling in their family relationships. I believe that every individual deserves to experience the same sense of empowerment and transformation that I did. By offering support, guidance, and practical tools, my intention is to help heart-centered women navigate their own healing journey and create the fulfilling and harmonious relationships they desire and deserve.
How do you help individuals navigate the challenges of setting boundaries without causing conflict or alienation within their family dynamic?
Although it’s beyond the scope of this interview for me to fully address such an important and multilayered question, I will do my best to provide some information that I trust will be helpful.
Let me begin by stating that navigating the journey of setting boundaries within your family can certainly be challenging, yet it’s essential for your well-being and the health of your relationships.
When you start setting boundaries, you might face some pushback, especially from those who’ve gotten used to you not having any and who benefit from this. This is why so many people make compromises or become “people pleasers”—to avoid conflict and the pain associated with it.
But here’s what I tell my clients: conflict can actually be a great catalyst for healing, transformation, and creating deeper connections within themselves and with the people who matter most to them, as long as they approach it with love and compassion.
When setting boundaries, it’s important to communicate authentically and lovingly as you express your needs and boundaries while remaining open to dialogue. I teach my clients healthy conflict resolution strategies, such as active listening and giving empathy, that can help facilitate constructive conversations within the family.
Although the idea of being rejected or cut off from their family can be terrifying, I remind my clients that their mental and emotional health matter. I help them understand that holding onto toxic relationships out of duty or fear only prolongs their suffering.
Choosing to set boundaries, even if it means creating some distance from a family member until they are ready and willing to create a healthier relationship with you, is an act of self-love.
What are some common misconceptions people have about creating healthy boundaries, and how do you address these misconceptions in your coaching?
One common misconception about healthy boundaries is that setting them means being selfish or uncaring. In my coaching, I emphasize that boundaries are about self-respect, self-care, and self-love—not about excluding or disregarding other people’s needs and desires.
Another misconception is that boundaries are rigid and unchanging. I help clients understand that boundaries can be flexible and change over time to meet their own and others’ evolving needs.
Finally, some people think that setting boundaries will lead to conflict or rejection. Although this is a possibility, I teach my clients how to effectively and respectfully communicate their boundaries, which often strengthens and improves relationships rather than damaging or destroying them.
What roles do self-love and self-acceptance play in the process of creating healthy boundaries, and how do you help your clients cultivate these qualities?
Self-love and self-acceptance are foundational to establishing healthy boundaries. In my coaching practice, I assist clients in developing and nurturing these qualities as they go through the process of creating boundaries. We begin by uncovering past wounds and limiting beliefs that prevent them from loving and accepting who they are.
Through guided reflection, introspection, and various processes, clients learn how to heal their wounds and to recognize and release negative patterns that are also sabotaging their ability to love and accept themselves.
In addition, I provide support in overcoming feelings of guilt and shame that often accompany making personal well-being a priority. By providing a compassionate and non-judgmental space, I empower clients to embrace their worthiness and honor their needs by establishing firm yet loving boundaries.
How do you help individuals maintain their newly established boundaries over time, especially in situations where family dynamics may challenge those boundaries?
Maintaining newly established boundaries, particularly within challenging family dynamics, requires ongoing support. In my coaching practice, there are many ways in which I assist my clients in this process.
Firstly, I emphasize the importance of consistency and honouring their needs. Clients learn to communicate their boundaries assertively and respectfully, reaffirming their needs without compromising themselves because of feelings of guilt or pressure.
Secondly, I help them prepare for any pushback they might face. We role-play different scenarios, brainstorm authentic and loving responses, and build up their confidence to hold firm to their boundaries, even when others challenge them.
Additionally, I encourage clients to prioritize self-care in order to nurture their emotional well-being. We also celebrate every win along the way, no matter how small, to help them stay motivated and committed to their personal growth journey.
Lastly, I’m there every step of the way, offering continuous support and guidance as they navigate challenges and adapt their boundaries over time. Together, we cultivate resilience and assertiveness, empowering them to navigate their family dynamics with grace and authenticity.
It’s all about commitment and practice. By mastering the art of creating and honoring healthy boundaries, you can transform your life and relationships and bring them into alignment with your heart and soul’s desires.
Ready to embark on this empowering journey? Here are some free resources to help you get started: https://magnifyyourmagnificence.com/free/
