Melbourne Psychologist Insights: Navigating Unhealthy Relationships With Therapy
Not every relationship is perfect, often coming with their own ups and downs. However, at times, relationships might become unhealthy without us being aware of it readily. Unhealthy relationships can contribute to a detrimental and unhealthy impact on our mental health and overall emotional well-being. Individuals experiencing unhealthy relationships often feel exhausted, anxious, and controlled. In this blog, Inner Eastern Psychology discusses further what unhealthy relationships look like, and provides insights and support to help those struggling with its effects.
Understanding Unhealthy Relationships
Unhealthy relationships can vary broadly, being emotionally and possibly physically harmful to those involved. Outward symptoms can often involve a certain pattern of conflicts, competition and (coercive) control.
Signs Of An Unhealthy Relationship
It is difficult to recognise its red flags and signs, particularly in the earlier stages. Over time, unhealthy partners might become more apparent. Here are some signs of a unhealthy relationship:
Your partner isolates you from your family and friends, creating co-dependence.
Your partner lacks accountability and tends to blame you.
Your relationship displays a pattern of arguments that involve belittling and criticism.
Your arguments involve denial and gaslighting.
There may be unnecessary control and jealousy from your partner, and sometimes the control is coercive.
Your partner may lie to you for no valid reasons.
You have to compromise all your needs to keep your partner happy.
Understanding The Causes Of An Unhealthy Relationship
Often, we can be driven by past experiences, childhood trauma, attachment styles and belief systems as the cause of an unhealthy relationship. Treatment gives us the opportunity to understand and explore these causes, and address them for the relationships they affect. We’re able to discuss, for instance, why we might be drawn to harmful patterns and unhealthy relationships / individuals - inadvertently holding in our subconscious the desire to seek familiar feelings when it comes to romantic / interpersonal relationships.
Childhood experiences and internal conflicts often contribute to the development of our personalities as adults. For example, insecure attachment styles that develop from conflict-ridden childhoods make it more difficult to establish a healthy and secure relationship, compared to individuals with secure attachment styles. An unhelpful / dysfunctional need for love can prompt individuals to stay in harmful companionships, for example, or impulsively jump into relationships with those who are unable to meet our needs, lacking considerations of compatibility.
Couples Therapy
Couples can work on establishing healthy dynamics and patterns in relationships by undergoing proper therapy sessions. Research indicates that couples therapy positively impacts 70% of the couples that use it. Depending on the psychologist, different therapy methods are used as a treatment to address their issues. Common treatment strategies used include, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), the Gottman Method, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Positive Psychology Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy. At Inner Eastern Psychology, we deliver couple therapy sessions in a safe and confidential space, where the couples work on their dynamics, and not targeting one particular person in the relationship. In the session, we aim to provide couples the space to speak and reflect on their emotions, personal needs, difficulties, resources, and their overall dynamics.
Individual Therapy
Individual therapy is also recommended for those in unhealthy relationships, as sometimes unhealthy relationships can lead to mental health difficulties, such as anxiety, depression and / or trauma etc. Navigating unhealthy relationships is emotionally draining - however, with the support of an experienced Melbourne psychologist, individuals can acquire knowledge, strategies, recovery, and empowerment.
If you need to find a Melbourne psychologist, you can start by contacting us at Inner Eastern Psychology. We offer a range of clinical services with a professional Melbourne psychologist, and we can help you identify a suitable therapist to start your journey. There are consultations available for individual, couples and family therapies.
Contact our team for further information and support today!