We are all relational beings. Over time, some people might experience some difficulties in relationships that are important to them. Relationship issues can affect a persons’ everyday life. It can lead to anxiety and depression but can also affect an individual’s diet and sleep patterns which then cause additional stress impacting the relationship.

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There are countless reasons why someone may experience relationship issues and these can range from toxic relationships to co-dependency. Therapy may involve exploring different communication styles or even social skills training, for example.

 

Two common models of therapy are explained below:

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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Relationship issues

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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (also known as CBT), aims to help the individual become aware of triggers affecting their relationship and how it is they have become trapped within a particular way of relating. This can relate to specific words said, specific people or specific actions taken or not.

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Common beliefs the individual holds about themselves are explored, together with some thought distortions , feelings and behaviours.

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Psychodynamic Therapy

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The problem is the answer…The problem contains hope Psychodynamic therapy is generally a longer process compare to CBT. The aim is to raise the individuals’ awareness of their unconscious processes and any unresolved issues from the past by way of helping the individual make sense of the present. Psychodynamic therapy uses the relationship between client and therapist to explore these conflicts and to move toward a greater understanding within the therapeutic relationship and then generalise this experience to others in the world. Problems need to be listened to and psychodynamic psychotherapy helps the client understand what the problem says about them as a person.

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For further reading:

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Psychodynamic Therapy - http://www.goodtherapy.org/Psychodynamic.html

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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy - http://www.mind.org.uk/mental_health_a-z/8000_cognitive_behaviour_therapy