What is Relational Counseling?
Relational counseling is a therapeutic approach based on the idea that relationships are the heart of our emotional well-being and functioning. As humans, we are wired for connection, attachment and acceptance. When we have healthy and fulfilling relationships, we are better able to manage the challenges that are inevitable throughout life. This type of therapy recognizes these facts and focuses on the ways a positive therapeutic relationship can help us find a more fulfilling life.
Think back to when you have been experiencing issues in your relationships. Maybe it was a boss you couldn’t seem to make happy no matter how hard you tried. Or an argument with a romantic partner or your best friend. Maybe it was that family member who seemed to only want to misunderstand you. Relationship stressors inevitably cause stress in our daily lives and can accumulate into larger issues, such as: anxiety, depression, addiction, low self-esteem, poor body image, trauma, physical illness and so much more. Conversely, improving our relationships can also help alleviate these added stressors.
In relational therapy, you start by building a comforting and trusting therapeutic relationship. One where you feel free to be your genuine and authentic self. Often working to discover who you truly are and what shaped you into the person you are today.
As you build a trusting and supporting therapeutic relationship, you start to identify patterns in your relationships outside of the therapeutic space that may be causing or contributing to the stress you are experiencing. Did you experience trauma that impacts the types of partners you initially feel comfortable with only to find out they aren’t able to provide you the full support you need? Are you a people-pleaser that goes above and beyond at work or in your relationships, but never feels truly appreciated? Have you been hurt in the past, so you have started to push away partners in fear of being hurt again?
The goal is to better understand yourself. Once we have an understanding of why we are falling into these relational habits, we can begin to challenge them. This can help you develop new beliefs and behaviors that will help you to establish healthy, strong relationships. By starting with a strong and healthy relationship with your therapist, you are able to model these new longer-lasting relationship skills and eventually work to implement them with the people around you.
Relational therapy focuses on building your self-identity, so you can be more confident in who you are and what you bring to the table. It also allows you to build new skills that will empower you to communicate effectively with those around you and build trust in the relationships you are forming. Learning about boundaries, assertive communication, compromise and other tools that will help you find a healthier balance in your relationships.
Relationships are the foundation of our life and well-being. By being able to promote healthy relationships, you will be able to find stability and security through life’s challenges. We are not built to go through life alone & using relational therapy to create the support you deserve can be an important part of your own healing journey.
If you are located in the state of South Dakota and ready to start on the road of relational therapy, click HERE. You will receive an email 1-2 business days after submission of the contact form to begin to arrange access to your online patient portal and to schedule your first individual therapy session.