Nurturing Relationships: Therapy's Role in Self and Interpersonal Connection

As human beings, we are social creatures who thrive on connection with others. Relationships are an essential part of our lives, and they can have a significant impact on our emotional well-being. However, it's important to remember that our relationship with ourselves is just as important as our relationships with others. In therapy, we often work to improve both types of relationships, as they are interconnected and affect one another.

Relationships with Oneself

Our relationship with ourselves is the foundation for all other relationships. It can be challenging to have healthy relationships with others if we don't have a healthy relationship with ourselves. In therapy, we often work to improve our self-awareness and self-esteem. This can involve exploring our thoughts and feelings, identifying our strengths and weaknesses, patterns and dynamics, and learning to accept ourselves for who we are.

Cultivating a healthy solid relationship with ourselves can also involve setting healthy boundaries and learning to identify and prioritize our needs. This can be especially important when we may feel pressure to put others' needs before our own, such as in romantic relationships, with friends, or with family members.

Relationships with Others

Our relationships with others can have a significant impact on our mental health and emotional well-being. Relationships with romantic partners, family members, friends, and sometimes coworkers can provide us with a sense of belonging, love, and support. However, they can also be a source of stress, conflict, and insecurity.

In therapy, we regularly work on understanding the dynamics of relationships, improving communication skills, and conflict resolution strategies to strengthen our connection with others. This can involve learning -sometimes for the first time- to express our needs and boundaries respectfully and effectively.

One common issue in relationships is within the spectrum of codependency, where one partner's needs take precedence over the other's. Codependency can be detrimental to a relationship's health and can often lead to resentment and a lack of trust. In therapy, clients and therapist work together to identify and address codependent behaviours and develop healthier relationship dynamics.

Our relationships with ourselves and others are essential to our emotional well-being. In therapy, we improve our self-awareness and self-esteem, set healthy boundaries, and develop positive relationships with those around us and ourselves. If you're struggling with your relationships, seeking therapy can effectively improve your mental health and overall well-being.

A study published in the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy found that couples receiving therapy significantly improved relationship satisfaction and communication skills. Another study published in the Journal of Counseling Psychology of the American Psychological Association found that individual therapy can improve self-esteem and self-compassion.

In addition, recent research has explored the benefits of different types of therapy for relationship issues.

Emotionally Focused Therapy

(EFT) effectively improves couple relationships by addressing underlying emotional issues.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

(CBT) can be helpful for individuals dealing with anxiety or depression that may be impacting their relationships.

At Pando Counselling , we dedicate every day to helping individuals, couples, and families improve their relationships with themselves and others. Our professionally trained therapists use evidence-based techniques to help our clients achieve their goals and improve their emotional well-being.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards a happier, healthier you.

Agustina De Benedetti, Registered Psychotherapist (CRPO) - Director at Pando Counselling & Psychotherapy

References:

Johnson, S. M., Hunsley, J., Greenberg, L., & Schindler, D. (1999). Emotionally focused couples therapy: Status and challenges. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 25(3), 337-346. doi: 10.1111/j.1752-0606.1999.tb00267.x

Bluth, K., Roberson, P. N. E., Gaylord, S. A., Faurot, K. R., Grewen, K. M., Arzon, M., & Girdler, S. S. (2016). Does self-compassion protect adolescents from stress? Journal of Child and Family Studies, 25(4), 1098-1109. doi: 10.1007/s10826-015-0331-4

Andrews, G., Cuijpers, P., Craske, M. G., McEvoy, P., Titov, N. (2010). Computer therapy for the anxiety and depressive disorders is effective, acceptable and practical health care: A meta-analysis. PLoS ONE, 5(10), e13196. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0013196

Békés, V., Aafjes-van Doorn, K., Prout, T. A., & Hoffman, L. (2018). Process and outcome in emotionally focused couple therapy: An exploration of change processes. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 65(3), 302-313. doi: 10.1037/cou0000244