INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Maintaining meaningful interpersonal relationships is a strong predictor for mental and physical health. This idea is supported again and again in the research. We are social beings who require social connection. Despite the research and intuitive understanding that social connection is beneficial, a growing number of individuals are struggling to find connection with others and report having no close friendships. The U.S. surgeon general has issued an advisory calling attention to this “epidemic of loneliness and isolation.”
It’s clear we need relationships for our mental and physical health. At the same time, our relationships are often our biggest sources of emotional distress. Just like disconnection, relationship stress has also been linked with negative health outcomes. Many of us don’t need research articles to understand this. When our core relationships are struggling, whether that’s partner, sibling, parent, or friend, it can permeate all aspects of our lives.
Few of us were taught how to establish or maintain relationships.
When it comes to making friends and navigating interpersonal conflict, we’re often relying on ineffective habits and patterns and feeling the consequences.
Relational stress and loneliness are reasons many people seek the support of a therapist. Through therapy, clients can explore the barriers preventing them from making and maintaining meaningful relationships. This can include treating symptoms of social anxiety, exploring discomfort with intimacy, navigating conflict, setting boundaries, and voicing needs.
Individual therapy can provide space to explore interpersonal patterns and build new skills. This type of therapy also allows you to invite others (referred to as a collateral and often a family member, spouse, or friend) to join your therapy session(s) in order to further your therapy goals.
Family and couple therapy can provide insight into the system dynamic. Clients learn to recognize and change negative cycles and build deeper and more positive bonds.
Group therapy can provide a space to learn more about how you interact with others and how you are socially perceived. It can provide a normalizing experience to learn with and from others.
If you are dissatisfied with your interpersonal relationships and are ready to work toward change, meeting with a therapist is a great place to start. If you’d like to discuss more, please schedule a free consultation
REFERENCES
Cacioppo John T, Hawkley Louise C. Social Isolation and Health, with an Emphasis on Underlying Mechanisms. Perspectives in Biology and Medicine. 2003;46:S39–S52.
Cohen Sheldon. Social Relationships and Health. American Psychologist. 2004;59:676–84.
Cox, D. A., Witt-Swanson, L., Orrell, B., & Bowman, K. (2022, April 7). The State of American Friendship: Change, challenges, and loss. The Survey Center on American Life. https://www.americansurveycenter.org/research/the-state-of-american-friendship-change-challenges-and-loss/
Walen Heather R, Lachman Margie E. Social Support and Strain from Partner, Family, and Friends: Costs and Benefits for Men and Women in Adulthood. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships. 2000;17:5–30.
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
BOOKS
Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life: Life-Changing Tools for Healthy Relationships,Marshall B. Rosenberg PhD, 2015
PODCASTS
How to Talk to People, The Atlantic - produced by Rebecca Rashid and hosted by Julie Beck