• Home
  • Common Issues
    • Mood
      • Depression
      • Anxiety
      • Panic
      • Social Anxiety
    • Relationships
      • Couples Counseling
      • Physical Intimacy Issues
      • Finding the Right Relationship
      • Family Issues
    • Coaching
      • Career
      • Life Coaching
      • Weight Management & Fitness Coaching
    • Other
      • Medicare and Senior Issues
      • Child and Adolescent
      • Chronic Pain and Medical Issues
  • About Therapy
    • Session Formats
      • Individuals
      • Couples
      • Kids and Teens
      • Families
    • Therapy Styles
      • Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
      • Family Systems (Psychodynamic)
      • Meditation and Mindfulness Training
    • FAQs
      • What is the difference between a psychologist and a counselor?
      • What is your confidentiality policy?
      • Does therapy really work?
      • How long will I need to be in therapy?
      • How often should I come?
      • How can I measure my progress in therapy?
      • What if I don’t share the same belief system or life circumstances as my therapist?
      • Can I use my insurance?
  • Checklists
    • Adult ADHD Self-Evaluation
    • Anxiety Self-Evaluation
    • Bipolarism Self-Evaluation
    • Depression Self-Evaluation
    • Panic Attack Self-Evaluation
    • Relationship Health Self-Evaluation
    • Social Anxiety Self-Evaluation
    • Sexual Dysfunction Self-Evaluation
  • About Us
    • Our Counselors
      • Breanna Katz-Estrada, MSW, LCSW
      • Diane Williams, MSW, LCSW
      • Heather Robbins, Ph.D., LP
      • James Robbins, M.A., LPC
      • Jon Johnston, MA, LPC
      • Jose Hernandez, LCSW
      • Marilyn Powell, Ph.D.
      • Zayle Griffin, LPC
    • Appointment Information
    • Accepted Insurance Companies
    • Client Reviews
    • Our Locations
  • Contact Us
  • Social & Contact
    ‪(972) 755-0996

Dallas Whole Life Counseling

Licensed Psychologist and Therapists in Texas

Top 10 psychologists in Dallas, TX 2016 Top Counseling & Mental Health in Dallas

Schedule a Consult

Should You Go Above and Beyond in Your Interactions?

February 2, 2018 by James Robbins, M.A., LPC

Used to be when I sat down for a haircut, I’d feel the need to make small talk. I’m not the biggest fan of small talk — but I felt an unspoken obligation to somehow entertain the person cutting my hair. So I’d compulsively chat about the weather, lawn care, freeway traffic patterns, whatever, until the deed was done. In some subtle way, however, I blamed the other person for “making me” talk. Over time, I’d develop a very quiet resentment toward the person performing the service, even though that person may have very well disliked discussing St. Augustine grass as much as I did. And in some small way, I’d walk away from my haircut congratulating myself for being such a socially generous person.

These days, I sit in glorious silence while a brave professional manages my hair. I remain polite, courteous — but I don’t take it on myself to make conversation. I am paying for a service. The other person is providing the service. This is the nature of our contract, the parameters of our relationship. To go above and beyond, I am doing no one any favors. Taking on a burden, seemingly to “make someone else happy,” is just that: a burden.

When you overextend yourself in whatever relationship, negative feelings tend to gain steam over time. “Being nice” does you no good if it leads to resentment. The kindest thing you can do in many situations is to be crystal clear about your personal boundaries. Clear boundaries indicate you are taking responsibility for your own experience.

Filed Under: About Us, Articles, Blog, Education, Inspiration, Newsletter, Relationship Tagged With: obligation, relationship

About James Robbins, M.A., LPC

James Robbins is a licensed professional counselor, published author and co-owner of Dallas Whole Life Counseling. He has over 15 years of experience helping people in various life stages that come from a wide variety of cultural, economic and family backgrounds. Learn more about his background by clicking here.

Search the Site

Quick Links

  • Accepted Insurances
  • Appointment Information
  • Contact Us
  • Session Rates
  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Meet Our Staff

Recent Articles

  • Discover the Benefits of Counseling with Dallas Whole Life
  • Understanding Ghosting: Exploring the Impact and Coping Strategies
  • Changing Attitudes: Recent Trends in Divorce, Living Together, and Couples

Contact Information

Offering Virtual Sessions
Licensed phone and video sessions are available throughout Texas by appointment.

Office Phone & Email
‪(972) 755-0996‬
contact@dallaswholelife.com

Office Hours
Mondays: 9:00AM – 5:00 PM CST
Tuesdays: 9:00AM – 5:00 PM CST
Wednesdays: 9:00AM – 5:00 PM CST
Thursdays: 9:00AM – 5:00 PM CST
Fridays: 9:00AM – 5:00 PM CST

Mailing Address
Dallas Galleria Tower One
13355 Noel Road, Suite 1100
Dallas, Texas 75240

Contact

Phone: (972) 755-0996
Email: contact@dallaswholelife.com

Office Hours

Mondays: 9:00AM – 5:00 PM CST
Tuesdays: 9:00AM – 5:00 PM CST
Wednesdays: 9:00AM – 5:00 PM CST
Thursdays: 9:00AM – 5:00 PM CST
Fridays: 9:00AM – 5:00 PM CST

Mailing Address

Dallas Whole Life Counseling
13355 Noel Road, Suite 1100
Dallas, Texas 75240

Virtual Counseling

Dallas Whole Life Counseling offers licensed phone and video sessions are available throughout Texas by appointment including nights and weekends for common issues.

Common Issues

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Couples Counseling
  • Physical Intimacy Issues
  • Panic
  • Senior Issues
  • Child & Adolescent
  • Career Coaching
  • Life Coaching
  • Social Anxiety
  • EMDR
  • Family Issues
  • Grief Counseling
  • Weight & Fitness
  • Eating Disorders
  • Chronic Pain
  • Medical Issues

Follow Us

Request an Appointment

Each inquiry is carefully reviewed by our office team to match you with the right counselor for your unique situation. Our office team aims to respond to your inquiry quickly. Current office hours are 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM CST, Monday thru Friday. Please allow for additional time to respond to inquiries outside of these times. We are not offering in-person counseling at this time but are accepting new patients for phone or video counseling. We ask that current clients with immediate needs please call us at ‪(972) 755-0996.

"*" indicates required fields

Hidden
Name*
How would you like us to respond to your request?*
How did you find us?*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Dallas Whole Life Counseling | 13355 Noel Road, Suite 1100 | Dallas, Texas 75240 | (972) 755-0996Copyright © 2023. All Rights Reserved. Website by ThinkGenetic, Inc..