RELATIONSHIP ISSUES

Having healthy and fulfilling relationships are so beneficial  to our lives. Yet sometimes relationships are hard to navigate and can become a main source of stress and unhappiness. Whether conflict resides in a romantic, parental, sibling, child, or friendship relationship, its intimacy and harmony has a significant impact on our sense of well-being.

It is easy to fall into the pattern of blaming others, or excessive self-blame.  While relationships require good communication skills - appropriate assertiveness, attentive listening, and delivering feedback in a way that can be heard - communication alone is not always sufficient to make resilient relationships.  Compromise is key.  And compromise can be difficult. Self-exploration is also important to come to a greater understanding of yourself, expectations, and impact on others.

Sometimes I see people getting stuck in a pattern of trying to get something from a partner or relative that he or she is not capable of giving. I can help you navigate the sometimes turbulent waters you may find yourself in, develop ways to achieve more satisfaction in relationships, have appropriate expectations, or recognize when a relationship is unhealthy and help you set better boundaries or walk away.

WORKPLACE and FRIENDSHIP ISSUES

Relationships also encompass friendships and work connections. Do you find it hard to sustain a long-term friendship? Or do you find that your friendships become intense quickly, and then end abruptly? Do you feel that you are not getting the recognition you want at your place of work, or feel on the "out" with people in power in your organization? Workplace dynamics can be particularly
challenging, and can affect your success in your job.

PARENTING ISSUES

I also work with parents to help them learn how their efforts to support their children - whether they are minor or adult children - are enabling behaviors and counterproductive to developing into independent people.  I call this learning the difference between "good help" and "bad help".