Posted November 15, 2022 by Center for Family and Relational Health
Tags: Center for Family and Relational Health

5 Unique Benefits for Relational Therapy

In our search for personal healing, we may contemplate whether to start with individual therapy or relational therapy. We may wonder, “What’s the benefit of working with my spouse/partner or family member/s?” or “How will talking with the person that’s stressing me out actually help me?” Here are 5 reasons why we believe relational therapy can be helpful: 

1. Longer Lasting Change 
Often in our relationships, we can feel stuck in cycles of relating to one another. Instead of just “fixing” or “helping” one person approach the relationship differently without the other’s knowledge or buy-in for changing the relational back and forth; couples/family therapy works on the process between two or more people to seek different ways of relating to one another that frees people from being stuck. Changing the process of how we do relationship has a longer-lasting impact that will not wear down the resolve of one person’s desire to change things up and get unstuck.  

2. Uncovering Unhealthy Relational Patterns 
Perhaps the thought has crossed the mind, “We’ve tried all we can to change and be the kind of person our partner or family members wants,” but we keep finding ourselves in toxic cycles of interactions with those we love. When we work within the relational system, we can address the process which underlies these relational patterns and provide a choice to a new way of interacting where there wasn’t one before – a choice that’s more holistic and a sustainable way out of these relational traps. 

3. Finding Healthy Ways to Manage Conflicts 
In relational therapy, we are invited into learning new ways to manage conflicts in our relationships. We have the chance to explore our natural ways of coping with disagreements and learn new strategies that can better equip us to enter into the hard and difficult spaces with our partner or family members.

4. Creating the Space to Talk 
Amidst the busyness/stress of life, we may not have the time to talk things through on the important aspects to us in our relationships.  This can lead us to “sweeping it under the rug” with the noble intent of planning to get around to it later when there’s more time and intentionality to address it properly. Relational therapy provides us with the intentional/carved-out space to unpack the difficult emotions and process significant moments in our most meaningful relationships.  

5. Strengthening Relationships 
Relational therapy can offer us a chance to strengthen our existing relationships by building a greater sense of safety/security, trust, vulnerability, and empathy in our relationships.  Instead of viewing our closest/most-intimate relationships or family members as being a source of stress that we want to run away from, we have the opportunity to lean into one another in a new way where we can be the natural source of love and support for each other – the intended design for intimacy, belonging, connection, and familial relationships.  

Still have questions about couples and family therapy? Or perhaps you think this is a good fit for you? Reach out to us today by email or (630) 733-8161 and we can answer your questions or help you set up your first session!