We are inherently social beings and do not live in isolation. As a result, we are constantly in interaction with the world outside of us, and most importantly, the people around us. The role of addressing Interpersonal Relationships in Counselling is to focus on the difficulties we have in interacting with others.

 

Often, many of the psychological distresses we experience stem from the pain of not feeling a sense of connection, belonging, space, or nurturance in our relationships. Through our life experiences, we all develop ways to cope and survive our relationships with others. Such coping styles may include pleasing and accommodating others to avoid conflict or rejection, exerting control over others through aggressive resistance or physical/emotional avoidance, and extreme independence. In many instances, these coping styles may be necessary and adaptive. However, these coping strategies can become maladaptive and cause stress, anxiety, or disconnection in relationships. 

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Through a trusting and safe relationship with me, as your Counsellor, the Counselling process allows you to understand your relational strategies. It works to give you the space for a reparative relational experience in which you are responded to in a new and healthier way. These experiences are meant to support you in choosing ways of relating now that come from choice and flexibility, rather than a necessity for survival.​

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Counselling for this concern tends to be goal-oriented and we will set a fixed number of sessions (approximately 12-16) to meet for at the beginning of the process.