If you’re dealing with issues in your relationship but you don’t want to call it quits, your first thought might be to attend couples therapy with your partner.
That certainly has its place. Couples therapy is a great way to bring you closer and help you resolve some of your underlying relationship issues.
But, it could also be a good time to consider individual therapy.
What does that have to do with your relationship? Well, you’re one-half of it, right? If you’re struggling with issues of your own, chances are they’re impacting the relationship whether you realize it or not.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at how individual therapy can help you overcome relationship roadblocks.
Dealing With Unresolved Issues
There are plenty of stereotypes and tropes about people coming into relationships with “baggage”. But, the baggage you bring with you doesn’t always have to stem from past romantic relationships.
You might be dealing with more serious issues that go all the way back to childhood.
Things like abuse or other childhood trauma can be repressed for years, but the effects can still impact your relationships. You might be extremely co-dependent and rely on your partner’s happiness for your own fulfillment. Or, you might be too independent and “push” your partner away.
While those can seem like personality traits on the surface, there’s a good chance they’re stemming from something deeper.
Individual therapy is meant to help you get to the “root” of unresolved issues. It’s not always easy, and many people don’t want to relive the problems of their past. But, getting to the source of those problems is the only way to work through them.
Understanding Your Communication Style
Another way individual therapy can help you overcome relationship roadblocks is by allowing you to learn more about yourself.
In today’s busy (and uncertain) world, it’s easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. You might not be paying attention to your likes, dislikes, and true feelings the way you once did. You might not even know what your communication style is, or whether it clashes with your partner’s.
Therapy will help you uncover that style and be a better communicator with the person you love. You can also learn more about their communication style, and how you can be a better listener while showing more gratitude.
More importantly, it will give you the opportunity to “re-learn” who you are. You can develop skills like mindfulness and meditation, and use them to feel more in tune with your mental well-being than ever. You’ll be able to utilize those skills for life, not just during your therapy sessions.
The more you understand about yourself, the easier it will be to open up and be vulnerable with your partner. In turn, it’s more likely they’ll open up to you and share their feelings, as well. When you’re willing to share more with the person you love, the stronger and more intimate your relationship will be.
Is Individual Therapy Right For You?
If your relationship is struggling, don’t assume things are “doomed”.
In addition to dealing with relationship issues, take the time to look inward. You owe it to yourself and your partner.
If you want to know more about individual therapy, feel free to contact me. I’m happy to answer any questions you might have or set up an initial appointment. When you focus on your needs, you can bring a more open and honest version of yourself to your relationship. In the end, that could be exactly what you need to make things work.
