Relationship Problems

 

 

Our relationships are extremely important for our sense of well-being: they define who we are and how we feel about ourselves. Unfortunately, there are times when unresolved issues from our past can negatively influence the way we relate to our loved ones; we may, without being aware, project feelings we had for meaningful people who hurt us in the past onto the people who are close to us right now, creating conflict and separation.

 

Therapy can be really helpful in helping people who are experiencing distress in their relationship because it offers a space outside of the relationship to explore those painful feelings and make sense of the negative dynamic that gets created with their partner. Once more awareness is gained, it is easier for the client to start relating to their partner differently and break dysfunctional cycles.

 

 

PSYCHOTHERAPY WITH COUPLES

There are times when it may be more helpful for both partners to have psychotherapy together. Exploring the emotional landscape of the relationship and identifying the patterns that the partners follow when relating to each other - the negative cycles the couple gets into - can help the couple break that cycle and learn to relate to each other in an emotionally healthier way.

 

The therapy model that I use in couple work is based on a North American approach which has proved in research to be highly effective in the treatment of relationship distress.  I have trained in the approach in London with visiting trainers from the ICEEFT. For further info: Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy approach.