Relationship Therapy

Are Relationship Issues Bogging You Down?

Do you feel unappreciated, disconnected or alone? Do you sacrifice your own needs for your spouse or have trouble asserting yourself, even in platonic or professional relationships? Perhaps you struggle to trust others, fear abandonment, or worry about infidelity. Or, conversely, you may be going through a separation or divorce and want guidance and support navigating this new aspect of your life.

Relationship problems can manifest in many ways for couples and individuals alike. You may be repeating behaviors you learned in past relationships, which feeds conflict with your current partner.  Or, you could be facing very real disagreements. For example, you might have different parenting styles, cultural backgrounds or expectations for intimacy that are creating friction.  

Regardless of your situation, you don’t have to navigate these challenges alone. Would you like to liberate yourself from unnecessary fear and uncertainty? Are you ready to gain insight into yourself and your relationship so you can have greater confidence in yourself and your partner?

Relationships Can Be Complicated For Many Reasons

If you are struggling with challenges in your relationship, don’t worry. You’re not alone. Practically everyone will have to deal with a relationship issue of some sort during their lifetimes. 

And, not all relationships are about other people. In fact, the most important, and often, the most difficult relationship may be with ourselves. 

For much of our lives, most of us model our relationships after those of our parents and caregivers, who were likely struggling with relationship challenges of their own. That means many of us are never taught how to manage or repair a relationship, how to communicate or resolve conflict peacefully. And, if you were exposed to toxic relationships or suffered neglect or abuse as a child, you are far more likely to have trouble managing relationships as an adult. 

Moreover, I believe that much of the strife couples and individuals face originates from a lack of acceptance. We sometimes forget that a relationship is made up of two unique individuals with singular flaws, idiosyncrasies, and expectations for the partnership. Learning to welcome, accept, and live with difference is key for any relationship. 

Fortunately, with the support of an experienced relationship therapist, you can learn effective ways to address problematic areas of your relationship. Over time, you can cultivate a greater sense of acceptance for yourself and empathy for others.

Relationship Therapy Can Help You Improve the Quality of Your Relationships

As a professional therapist, I offer a reliable space of support, where you can examine your relationships, discuss challenges, and develop real solutions. In our sessions, you can voice fears and engage the living parts of yourself from the past that may be affecting your life right now. By learning how to identify and let go of those aspects of the past, you can be less reactive and more present in your current and future relationships.

We will begin our initial session by gently exploring the interpersonal roadblocks you’re up against. We’ll try to identify fears and unhelpful thought patterns that may be compromising how you interact with other people. And, we’ll look at how personal histories with parents, siblings, friends, and partners may still be informing the way you manage trust, communication, and boundaries.   

I will also work with you to help you cultivate greater empathy toward others and compassion for yourself by focusing on acceptance. As you start to embrace the differences that distinguish you and the other person as individuals, you can also discover the benefits of interdependence. In other words, you can enjoy a supportive relationship that allows each individual to flourish and grow. 

Relationship struggles are as diverse as the people who experience them, so I will strive to tailor our sessions to serve your personal situation. For example, if you and your partner argue more than anything else in your relationship, I can help you break down the problem and get to the source of that strife. We can examine together and gain insight into effective communication skills and conflict resolution strategies that can de-escalate tense situations and resolve differences productively. 

Or, if you have unexplained fears of infidelity or abandonment, I can help you identify and clarify troublesome thinking patterns that are contributing to these fears. And, if you are having trouble forming new relationships, I can help you improve your self-confidence and assertiveness so that you can engage opportunities when they arise.

Overcoming difficulties in a relationship can be challenging for anyone, but you don’t have to navigate them alone. As a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, I know that you can free yourself from the past and be more at peace with yourself and your relationships while enriching them with greater empathy, self-acceptance, and healthier ways of managing conflict.

I am considering relationship therapy, but I still have a few questions and concerns...

Everyone has relationship problems, so this isn’t a big deal.

Humans are social creatures. We come into being, survive, and thrive through connections with other people. 

So, even if an issue seems small, relationship fractures and changes can actually have a profound impact on your overall quality of life. The underlying stress and emotional strain can affect your work performance, social life—even your physical and mental health. 

No matter how insignificant your situation might feel, asking for help can be immensely beneficial. 

I have friends with whom I can talk.

Family members and friends can be a powerful source of strength and support for healing. However, despite their best intentions, they can also be biased, which doesn’t always help the healing process.

A relationship therapist can provide tools, strategies, and an impartial approach to the challenges you face that actually result in change. Of course, you can still seek support from your family members and friends! In fact, once you have more information and awareness, you’re likely to find that you can apply their advice in a new, even more helpful way. 

Nothing’s going to change, so why bother with relationship therapy?

Because change is possible. I understand and appreciate how you might feel right now, but that may be a wounded part of you speaking. You don’t need to let the past prevent you from healing today. 

Relationship and individual marriage counseling provide an excellent opportunity and foundation upon which you can practice relationship building. It also gives you compassionate support and guidance as well as access to real solutions and strategies that can help you overcome your challenges.

It may take a little effort and a little leap of faith, but I’ll say it again: Change is possible.  

Relationship Help Is Available

If you are struggling to overcome challenges in your relationship, I can help. Please call 415 673 3125 or email me at sanfranalista@therapyemail.com for a free, 15-minute consultation to see how relationship counseling may be able to help you.