Therapist explains setting boundaries to avoid heated conversations at your Thanksgiving table

People across the country are preparing for friends and family to gather at the Thanksgiving dinner table. But data from the National Alliance on Mental Illness shows that the holidays are not always joyful — they can be triggering for some. Food and conversation often take center stage, and sometimes those conversations can become intense. So what should you do?

For a special edition of “Closer Look,” program host Rose Scott took email questions from listeners and was joined in-studio by Atlanta-based licensed therapist Vernique Esther.

They discussed the dos and don’ts for holiday gatherings, covering both hosts and guests. Esther also offered guidance on setting boundaries and shared strategies for avoiding awkward or heated conversations.