What is Relational Approach?
In relational therapy, the therapeutic relationship becomes a vital tool for healing and growth. The therapist and client work collaboratively to explore patterns, dynamics, and attachment styles in relationships. It aims to create a safe and supportive environment where clients can explore, understand, and transform their relational experiences to enhance their overall mental well-being.
1
Process-Based
Relational approach or therapy encourages deep reflections by talking about what is on your mind. It leads to increased self-awareness, healthy boundary setting, and improved decision making process.
2
Safety and Trust
Heal from having a safe space to talk to someone without judgment and open up to express yourself. The ability to overcome the conflicts within the therapeutic setting will help you address challenges in other relationships.
3
Trauma-Informed
Relational approach or therapy creates the basis for the art of healing in trauma by developing a connection, building a healthy attachment, and validating feelings and thoughts.
Mindfulness
Practice being present in the moment, observing and noticing your thoughts without judgment.
Boundary Setting
Increase assertive communication with others, become aware of your own needs, increase self-compassion.
Empathy and Compassion
Learn to be kind, gentle, and compassionate toward yourself as your therapist provides you the space to feel what it is like.
Relational Therapy is effective in treating:
Adjustment Issues
During the course of life, anyone can face symptoms of distress in adjusting to life circumstances that are painful, challenging and confusing. This is relatively short-lived if paid attention carefully.
Disrupted Attachment
History of disrupted attachment in childhood can lead to long lasting impact in relationships in adulthood. This is closely related to self-regulation, sense of self, and connection with others.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD can be developed by experiencing or witnessing a significant negative life event such as accidents, natural disasters, physical injuries, medical diagnosis and its treatment procedures at any given time in the course of one's life.
Anxiety
Anxiety has many faces like social, generalized, panic, etc. Often times, symptoms of anxiety can represent a much deeper underlying issue. It also has different colors like worries (thoughts), body sensations (somatic), and overwhelming emotions.
Emotional Trauma
Profound psychological and emotional distress are experienced as a result of a deep disturbing or overwhelming event or series of events. This may come from emotionally painful relationships and dynamics in the family, intimate relationships, and even a broader group or community.
Sexual Trauma
Multitude layers of harm, including physical, emotional, and psychological pain, are experienced that may lead to fear, shame, guilt, self-blame, self-hatred, avoidance, disconnection from the body, and grief. Individuals are at risk of self-harm and heavy substance use for coping on their own.
Depression
Depressive symptoms can immobilize individuals with negative self-view, self-talk, and self-esteem. It feels like staying at the bottom of deep water.
Grief and Loss
Deeply personal experiences of losing someone or something of significant importance can require a grieving process to express, adjust, understand, accept, heal, and find meaning in life.
Suicidal Ideation or Self Harm
In the deepest pain of depression, we turn to ourselves for self-destruction. The emotional pain is so deep; you want it gone. It comes out by transferring it to physical pain.