Relationship Issues
“The movement in and out of individuation and intimacy serves as the lungs of a relationship”
Our relationships can sometimes be breeding grounds for pain, miscommunication, and unmet needs. Whether the challenges arise with family, friends, romantic partners, or colleagues, relationship struggles can be excruciating because they touch on what it means to belong, to be loved, and to be understood.
In our relationship difficulties, we ebb and flow between vulnerability and defense. We long to feel close, safe, and valued, but past experiences cause us to unconsciously put up walls that push others away and leave us feeling unseen. It’s the paradox of human connection: the people we care about the most often evoke our greatest fears—of rejection, abandonment, or losing our sense of self. In response, we may retreat, lash out, cling too tightly, or build walls, all in an effort to protect ourselves or preserve the relationship.
The emotional weight of strained relationships can feel preoccupying. Arguments might replay endlessly in your mind, each word dissected for hidden meanings or perceived faults. You may fear speaking your truth, leaving you unheard.
These relational wounds often originate from the ways we’ve learned to navigate connection throughout our lives. Our personalities, shaped by the temperaments we were born with and the environments we’ve adapted to, play a crucial role in how we relate to others. What may have once helped you survive a challenging environment—whether through self-reliance, people-pleasing, or emotional detachment—might now create barriers to intimacy.
In therapy, we don’t just focus on resolving conflicts or addressing symptoms—we seek to help you understand the fears, needs, and desires at the heart of your relational experiences. Together, we will examine how your unique blend of personality, experiences, and relational dynamics affects not only the relationships in your life but also the one you develop with your therapist.