Relationships

 

Healthy, positive relationships can be hard to achieve. The way we have been parented and the relationships we have been exposed to will have an impact on the way we have learned to connect with others, and how we communicate our feelings.

In turn, our experiences can determine how we get along with friends, family, intimate partners and those we encounter in our every day lives.

You may have learned to bottle up feelings, or to talk about everything, no matter how personal. You may have learned to expect rejection, or to avoid getting close to anyone. You might be very afraid of being alone.

Difficulties can arise when:

  • you suffer with low self-esteem

  • you strongly fear losing someone’s love, or being abandoned

  • you are afraid of, and struggle to be alone

  • you feel jealous, or find it difficult to trust

  • you have been expected to be strong, successful and to cope on your own

  • you always believe that you are right and have to win arguments

  • you dislike to, or are unable to show your feelings, or to say what you are thinking

  • you fear upset and conflict, or think that it is impolite to disagree

  • you don’t like, or are unable to receive help or support.

If you are familiar with any of the above then I can understand why you might be seeking my help to deal with your relationship difficulties. Even being aware of familiar issues, does not prevent us from carrying on in ways that can negatively affect our relationships and perhaps upset those around us, as well as ourselves.

I can help you to think about what is going on for you and, by gently talking through your experiences with me, I can help you to make sense of your behaviour and reactions. Also, without knowing it, you might behave with me in a way that reveals some of your relating habits. I will let you know what I notice and how I experience you, as it might be something that is occuring in all your relationships, and not just the one you build with me.

With time and awareness you may be able to bring change to the way you feel in your relationships and in turn how you connect with others, potentially leading to more healthy, meaningful experiences.