What Are The Differences In Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships?
In healthy relationships, both participants typically feel connected, safe, and supported by the other person. They feel comfortable to be themselves, and they enjoy the time they spend together. While all relationships have ups and downs, pervasive relationship issues can result in serious problems related to poor communication, misattunement, resentment, deceit, infidelity, and even abuse. Unresolved relationship issues often leave both parties feeling angry, underappreciated, isolated, anxious or depressed.
What Kinds Of Relationship Issues Do People Face?
People may face a variety of relationship issues on any given day. Maybe someone is struggling with trusting a spouse or significant other. Maybe a working professional feels undermined and belittled by a coworker. Perhaps a parent and her child continue to disagree over every last thing. Perhaps someone is supporting a family member struggling with a mental illness or substance use disorder. Some of these problems can be quickly resolved on their own, but others may fester and continue to grow. Sometimes, individuals try to avoid or deny their issues, but this strategy doesn’t provide a long-term solution as it only delays the inevitable tension.
How Does Couples and Family Therapy Work?
Couples and families are interconnected, as each person influences the other individuals within the unit. Each family member works together with the others to better understand their group dynamic and how their individual actions affect each other and the family unit as a whole. This therapy isn’t about assigning blame or figuring out who’s right in a particular argument. It’s about learning how to truly listen and support one another, even in times of conflict. It’s also about uncovering attachment patterns and learning how these patterns influence our relationships.
Couples and families will receive education and skills designed to help them use healthier communication habits. They will also receive support to discuss potential challenges related to issues like trauma or significant life transitions that may be impacting how they participate in the relationships. .
Sometimes, it’s not practical or feasible to do couples or family therapy. Fortunately, individual therapy can also focus on relationship issues by supporting relationship building and strengthening interpersonal skills.
How I Can Help You With Relationship Issues
Therapy is a safe place for you to share your innermost thoughts and feelings. In therapy, you will receive compassion and support for your struggles. You will also learn how to identify your relationship goals with others, identify and soothe or emotional needs, strengthen your boundaries, and improve your overall communication.