Empaths, Energy Protection, and Love Languages with Dr. Laura Berman
Understanding Empaths: Is This Feeling Yours or Someone Else’s?
Do you ever feel a sudden wave of anxiety, sadness, or anger and wonder where it came from? According to Dr. Laura Berman, a renowned relationship therapist and spiritual coach, empaths—people highly sensitive to the emotions of others—must constantly ask themselves, “Is this mine, or is this someone else’s?” Learning to distinguish between your emotions and those you’re absorbing from others is the key to turning empathy into a superpower rather than a burden.
In a recent episode of Heal Squad with Maria Menounos, Dr. Berman shared invaluable insights into how empaths can protect their energy, create emotional boundaries, and thrive rather than merely survive in today’s frenetic world.
The Power of Energetic Boundaries: How to Shield Yourself
If you’re an empath, you may often feel overwhelmed by the emotions of those around you. Dr. Berman suggests that the key to managing this is building an energetic force field around yourself every morning. Here’s how:
- Start Your Day with a Visualization
- Before getting out of bed, take a deep breath and visualize a protective bubble of light surrounding you.
- Set an intention: “Only love and high-vibrational energy can enter this space.”
- Ground Your Energy
- Empaths tend to feel ungrounded, absorbing chaotic energy like an electrical wire without insulation.
- To combat this, visualize roots extending from your feet deep into the earth. This helps stabilize your energy and prevents you from being overwhelmed by others’ emotions.
- Use Protective Crystals
- Crystals like black tourmaline, onyx, or selenite can help absorb and transmute negative energy.
- If using crystals, be sure to cleanse them regularly—either by soaking them in sea salt water overnight or placing them under a full moon.
- Practice Energetic Hygiene Throughout the Day
- Before entering crowded spaces or high-energy environments (like work, airports, or social events), reinforce your energetic shield by taking a moment to breathe deeply and reaffirm your protective boundary.
- If you feel overwhelmed, take breaks, step outside, or engage in deep breathing exercises.
Love Languages: Why Knowing Yours (and Others’) Matters
Understanding love languages can drastically improve your relationships, whether with a partner, friend, or family member. Dr. Berman explains that many people unknowingly give love the way they prefer to receive it, but that may not align with how the other person experiences love.
The Five Love Languages, introduced by Gary Chapman, include:
- Words of Affirmation – Verbal appreciation, compliments, and words of encouragement.
- Acts of Service – Doing something thoughtful, like making a meal or handling a task for someone.
- Receiving Gifts – Meaningful presents, big or small, that show love and thoughtfulness.
- Quality Time – Spending uninterrupted, focused time together.
- Physical Touch – Hugs, holding hands, or affectionate gestures.
Dr. Berman advises taking the Love Language Quiz (available online) to better understand your needs and those of your loved ones. This knowledge can prevent miscommunication and strengthen emotional bonds.
How Your Personality Type Affects Your Relationships
Beyond love languages, Dr. Berman also recommends exploring Human Design and Enneagram personality types to gain deeper self-awareness.
- Human Design combines astrology, psychology, and ancient wisdom to categorize people into types like Generators, Manifestors, Projectors, and Manifesting Generators. Knowing your type can help you understand how you interact with the world.
- Enneagram Types define nine personality archetypes based on motivations and fears. Understanding your type (and your partner’s) can reveal hidden strengths and potential challenges in relationships.
How to Stop Absorbing Others’ Emotions and Reclaim Your Energy
If you’re an empath, you may struggle with constantly taking on other people’s emotions, leaving you drained and anxious. Here’s what Dr. Berman suggests:
- Pause and Ask: “Is This Mine?”
- If you suddenly feel anxious or sad, stop and assess: Am I actually upset, or am I picking up someone else’s energy?
- If it’s not yours, release it by imagining it floating away or calling on your protective shield.
- Limit Time with Energy Vampires
- If someone consistently leaves you feeling drained, set boundaries and minimize exposure.
- You don’t have to cut them out completely, but be mindful of your limits.
- Spend Time Alone
- Solitude helps empaths recharge. If you’re feeling overstimulated, schedule alone time to reset your energy.
- Practice the Burn Journal Method
- Dr. Berman recommends writing down any anger, frustration, or absorbed emotions in a private journal and then burning the pages (safely!).
- This practice helps release negative emotions and prevents them from accumulating in your body.
Final Thoughts: You Are Not Powerless
Being an empath is not a weakness—it’s a gift, but only if you learn to manage it. With the right tools, you can transform your sensitivity into a source of strength, insight, and deep connection with others.
For more expert insights, be sure to check out Dr. Laura Berman’s new book, You’re Not Crazy, You’re Just Ascending: How to Survive and Thrive in This Wild New World.
To hear the full conversation with Dr. Laura Berman, tune into Heal Squad with Maria Menounos.
For more healing and wellness tips, be sure to subscribe to Heal Squad with Maria Menounos on YouTube or Apple Podcasts.
