Our relationships form an important part of our lives, and how we feel in life is heavily influenced by how are relationships feel to us. Our relationships encompass those we love romantically, our families, friends and those we work with. Making sense of and seeking to experience happiness and satisfaction is a major theme that arises in my therapeutic work.
At times, we can seem isolated and alone which can feel intensely challenging. For some, their struggle may be living in a relationship with another which is difficult and challenging for them. For others, they may be noticing how they may be struggling with how they currently live with family and loved ones. When we struggle in our relationships an when they seem to ‘go wrong’, we can be left feeling profoundly confused, disorientated and distressed. Relationships are a dynamic, lived experience that ebb and flow between you, me and others. Even though at times it can feel one-way or that things are very much done to us, the key component to our relationships, that we can change and use to influence is us. This can be challenging, empowering, and often both.
We can explore how you might communicate with others, what happens between you and where your choices might lie. This can be explored together in therapy, looking at your assumptions and expectations based on what you’ve been through before in life.
How we struggle or thrive in our relationships can also relate to your own identity, where you feel you belong in the world, culture and background, past traumas, and experiences of trust, intimacy and betrayal. It’s important to remember that therapy is also a relationship and this in itself can be useful to you. In exploring your relationships, and through being in the therapeutic relationship itself you can experience being heard and considered we can bring to light who you are and how you wish to be with others in your life.