Relationships
Interpersonal relationships are integral part of our lives as humans. Our relationships are made up of strong, deep, or close associations or sometimes less intense associations between two or more people. Some of our relationships are relatively brief – we might enjoy chatting with someone in a grocery store. Other relationships are deep and longer lasting, sometimes lasting a lifetime, like a friendship, marriage, or relationship with a child. Relationships can involve a variety of feelings, including loving feelings, anger, pleasure, dislike, or indifference.
No matter the type of relationship, navigating relationships effectively can be challenging.
Healthy relationships are typically:
- Respectful
- Based on trust
- Supportive
- Honest
- Responsible
- Non-threatening
- Based on mutual consent
Healthy Communication in Relationships:
Healthy communication can look different depending on the type of relationship. In romantic relationships, healthy communication often involves:
- Speaking openly to one another about thoughts and feelings
- Treating each other with respect
- Feeling heard when expressing feelings
- Listening to each other and compromise
- Feeling supported to do the things they like
- Celebrating each other’s accomplishments and successes
In professional or work relationships, healthy communication often involves:
- Speaking in a professional and polite, yet assertive manner
- Treating others with respect while also speaking up for ourselves
- Listening to others and coming up with solutions that work
Our psychologists and psychotherapists can work with you to help you develop more effective communication with your partner or spouse, your children, and people at work. Assertive communication training, active listening skills, and emotion-regulation training can improve your relationships with a variety of people in your life.
