Relationship Counseling

Humans are naturally inclined toward connection and belonging.

We learn, grow, work, and experience life through our relationships with others. The bonds we form early in life shape how we view the world and interact with those around us. As we move through life, we build a rich tapestry of relationships—with family, friends, romantic partners, siblings, colleagues, and more. While these connections can bring immense joy, companionship, and support, they can also be complex and challenging at times, significantly affecting our overall sense of well-being.

When relationship challenges remain unresolved, they can profoundly affect our emotional and physical health, leading to feelings of sadness, anxiety, anger, and frustration, and impacting many areas of our lives. Addressing these issues through therapy is a positive step toward creating stronger, more satisfying relationships.

Therapy can address a wide range of relationships, each with its own unique dynamics and potential challenges. Romantic relationships can encounter difficulties such as communication breakdowns, struggles with intimacy, infidelity, or a gradual drifting apart.

Family relationships, which are often the foundation of our lives, can also be a source of conflict stemming from generational differences in values, differing parenting styles, sibling rivalries that linger into adulthood, or unresolved issues from the past.

Friendships, which we often rely on for support and companionship, can face obstacles like jealousy, misunderstandings that escalate, or the natural shifts that occur as life circumstances change.

Workplace relationships, too, can present their own set of stressors, as interactions with colleagues, supervisors, or employees can become a source of tension and conflict.

Co-parenting, whether between partners who are together or separated, requires a delicate balance of communication, cooperation, and shared responsibility, and can be particularly challenging to navigate.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, therapy also addresses the relationship we have with ourselves. Our own self-esteem, self-worth, and capacity for self-compassion significantly impact how we interact with others, making this internal relationship a crucial element of overall well-being and healthy connections.

Common questions about relationship counseling

  • Therapy offers a non-judgemental space for individuals to explore and address relationship challenges. Here are some ways therapy can help:

    Deepening connection: Therapy can help individuals strengthen their capacity for emotional intimacy.

    Communication skills: Therapy can help individuals learn to communicate more effectively, fostering open and constructive expression of thoughts and feelings.

    Conflict resolution: Therapy offers practical strategies for navigating disagreements and resolving conflicts in a way that encourages understanding and compromise between all parties involved.

    Establishing healthy boundaries: Learning to set and maintain healthy boundaries is crucial for all types of relationships, and therapy can provide valuable support and direction in this important area.

    Healing past hurts: Unresolved issues, whether stemming from the present relationship or past experiences, can cast a shadow on current connections. Therapy provides a supportive space to process and heal these emotional wounds.

  • A toxic relationship is defined by a pattern of behaviors that are emotionally, and sometimes physically, harmful to one or both individuals. These patterns often involve a power imbalance, where one person consistently tries to control, manipulate, or belittle the other. While disagreements and occasional conflicts are normal in any relationship, a toxic relationship is marked by a persistent lack of respect, trust, and support, creating a negative and unhealthy dynamic.

    While the terms "toxic" and "abusive" are often used interchangeably, there's an important distinction. Think of toxicity as existing on a spectrum; it can range from mild, persistent negativity to more severe patterns of manipulation and control. While not all toxic relationships are abusive, all abusive relationships are toxic.

    While toxic behaviors are harmful and can significantly impact well-being, they may not necessarily involve the consistent and intentional use of power and control to dominate the other person, which is the defining characteristic of abuse.

    Toxic and abusive behaviors can manifest in various ways, such as constant criticism, verbal abuse (including name-calling and insults), manipulation (like gaslighting or guilt-tripping), controlling behaviors (over finances, social interactions, or even personal choices), excessive jealousy and possessiveness, and in some cases, physical abuse. These behaviors create a consistently negative and damaging atmosphere, making it difficult for individuals to feel safe, valued, or respected within the relationship.

    If you're experiencing fear, intimidation, or control in your relationship, it's important to seek help as this may indicate an abusive dynamic. Therapy can provide a safe space to explore these concerns, understand the dynamics of abuse, and develop a safety plan if necessary.

    If you know you’re in an abusive relationship and are seeking help, see our resource page for support services.

  • Relationship Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (R-OCD) is a form of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder where a person experiences intrusive, unwanted thoughts, doubts, and fears specifically related to their romantic relationships. These obsessions can lead to compulsions, which are repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to reduce the distress caused by the obsessions.