Why can relationships be such hard work?

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Your identity as an individual and a partner, parent, carer, child or friend is constantly evolving over time. While these roles are all important, they can also involve intense feelings of loss, grief or guilt, as well as trigger unaddressed emotional trauma and other mental health challenges which, when exacerbated by daily stress, a lack of sleep and self-care or perhaps a sudden family crisis, can disrupt your sense of connection with others and capacity to cope with challenges. Even in healthy relationships, this can lead to overwhelm and burnout, which can show up in many ways, such as through escalating conflict or emotional shutdown. 

 

How can relationship counselling help?

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So many relationship issues are really about our relationship with ourselves. Counselling can help with repairing and healing complicated relationships, including with partners, family members and other significant people, as well as with yourself. We often explore how different attachment styles may impact on patterns of relating, and how to address underlying unmet needs in a positive, strengths-based way. 

 

Both online and in-person counselling sessions offer a safe and empathetic space to work together on developing the communication tools and approaches to feel seen and heard. It can also help you to feel more supported in prioritising your own wellbeing needs, even if the other person is not ready to start counselling. ​​Please get in touch with Natalie to find out more.