Balancing empathy with emotional boundaries during tough cases means staying compassionate without becoming emotionally overwhelmed. It starts with listening and validating the person’s experience without taking on their pain as your own. Staying aware of your emotional triggers and setting internal limits—reminding yourself that this is their journey, not yours—helps maintain perspective. Keeping the focus on solutions allows you to support the individual while protecting your own mental space. After challenging encounters, brief reflection or peer check-ins can help process emotions and prevent burnout. Most importantly, maintaining clear boundaries between work and personal life ensures long-term resilience.