RELATIONSHIPS
Cultivating Connection: Transforming Relationships.
Relationships are integral to healthy living, serving as the foundation for our best and most fulfilling lives. When we experience a sense of safety and connection, we not only enhance our ability to navigate life's challenges but also gain valuable tools to manage our own thoughts and emotions effectively. Conversely, distressing relationships not only cause emotional turmoil but can also contribute to physical issues, including illnesses, and mental health struggles such as anxiety and depression.
Our brains and nervous systems are wired to seek safe connections and relational security. The part of our brain that assesses physical threats similarly evaluates emotional threats, reacting in parallel ways. Feeling relationally unsafe translates to a broader sense of insecurity in our lives.
Building healthy relationships involves specific work within the relationship itself. This work includes navigating boundaries, determining desired levels of closeness or distance, addressing injuries, managing conflicting priorities, and handling the intricate dynamics both within and outside the relationship.
Our early relationships, stretching back to infancy, shape how we engage in relationships today. Our brains rely on predictive models built from feelings, memories, and meanings derived from significant relationships throughout our lives. These attachment models unconsciously influence our expectations, perspectives, and relational skills. Attachment injuries and trauma can significantly impact our ability to cultivate safe, coordinated, and connected relationships.
Whether relationships have always felt unsafe, or a particular relationship is causing distress, I am here to help. I can guide you in understanding the dynamics impacting your relationship, assist in deciding the best course of action, and provide the skills necessary to navigate even the most complex or challenging relationships. Learning how to prioritize your needs and navigate caring for others' needs allows for the development of the healthiest and most fulfilling relationships possible. Join me as I empower you to transform your relationships and enhance your overall well-being.