Conflict with the people you love & care about can be difficult to navigate
It is possible to have a difficult relationship with anyone you have a relationship with. You may be having a hard time getting along with your spouse or partner but you may also be struggling in your relationship with:
- Parents or in-laws
- Siblings
- Your adult children
- Extended family
- Even coworkers
If there is a relationship that is causing you upset, it can be helpful to work with a therapist to explore things like boundaries; radical acceptance; and to get an unbiased perspective on the situation. One thing that makes difficult relationships even more difficult is that often there is no one in your life that you feel like you can talk about it with.
“We can’t choose the family that we are born into. We also don’t get to choose the family our romantic partner(s) were born into! It is possible to have conflict within any relationship.”
Therapy for Difficult Romantic Relationships
Fighting with your partner disrupts every part of your life. It can be almost too painful to manage when the person you love most causes you pain.
Even if you’re not fighting, the two of you just can’t seem to get on the same page or truly understand each other. You feel lonely, even when your spouse is right next to you on the couch. What started off as a beautiful love story has turned into you feeling like nothing you do is right in their eyes. Or your partner maybe they say that they feel like nothing they do is good enough for you.
How do you know when enough is enough? Can your relationship be saved or is it time to move on? My clients often say that they feel they can’t be totally honest with friends or family about their relationship struggles. They remember and hold grudges, even if the client has moved on and is committed to the relationship. Talking to a professional can help you work through your feelings about your relationship without worrying that what you say will be held against your partner in the future.
Therapy For Adult Children of Immature, Narcissistic, or “Toxic” Parents or Siblings
Navigating your relationship with an immature, toxic, or narcissistic parent or sibling can be confusing.
In my professional experience, it is rare that people choose to cut off all contact with parents or the people that raised them. When you are trying to figure out where and how to make healthy boundaries for yourself, talking with a professional can be helpful. For some people, boundaries were not even allowed in their family growing up, so it can be difficult to know where to begin! You might feel shame or guilt at the idea of setting boundaries, even if you know it’s healthier for you.
Some people don’t set boundaries with family because they know their family members will ignore or disrespect the boundaries. Working with a professional can help you determine:
- Where you want or need the emotional protection of boundaries
- Who it would be helpful to set new boundaries with
- If you need different boundaries with different family members
- What is the best way to set new boundaries and
- When to communicate boundaries or determine if its best to uphold them without communicating them.
Sometimes it can be even more difficult when the family member you are experiencing tension with is a sibling. Many people grew up being told it was their responsibility to take care of a sibling and they have difficulty stopping once they are adults.
For clients who have left the religion they were brought up in, or who have experienced spiritual abuse or religious trauma, it can be painful to maintain relationships with family members who don’t understand your experience or respect your decisions. Many LGBTQ+ clients who grew up in evangelical families report feeling hurt when their families have difficulty accepting them for who they are.
Some people have in-laws who dislike them and often they are unsure why. They may disrespect you, make hurtful comments, or try to drive a wedge between you and your partner. What’s worse is that in some cases your partner might take their family’s side instead of supporting you.
Whatever difficult relationship you are navigating, therapy can provide a safe space to talk things out and receive guidance from a professional who understands without judging.
You Can Create Healthier Relationships, Even If the Other Person Never Changes
It can feel impossible to improve your difficult relationships if the person you love is unable or unwilling to change. It may seem impossible but changing the way that you interact with the people in your life can improve your relationships even if the other person does not change anything.
Whether your difficult relationship is with your spouse or partner; your parent; a sibling; your adult child; or anyone else that you have a relationship with, things can get better. Therapy can help.
When to See a Professional About a Difficult Relationship
If you are questioning whether or not you should seek professional help in dealing with difficult relationships, you can likely benefit from talking with a therapist! Visit the appointments page to learn more about setting up a consultation call, if appointments are available.
Stacey Aldridge, LCSW, CHHWC, RM
Stacey is a mental health therapist, certified holistic health & wellness coach, and Reiki Master. She works with anyone in the state of Mississippi for therapy and coaching clients anywhere in the world. If you are interested in setting up a consultation call for an appointment with Stacey, please visit the appointments page.