Relationship and interpersonal issues at home, at work, or with friends may affect your sense of wellbeing. The people we interact with act like mirrors of our own attitudes and behaviours. They may also treat us in a way that makes us react negatively despite our good intentions. In turn, our daily interactions help us to continuously recreate our sense of identity. These interactions can either strengthen our self-esteem or make us feel uncomfortable with who we are.
Imagine yourself among a group of people with whom you feel accepted and liked. How do you feel in this situation? For most of us, we will feel a sense of belonging associated with feel-good hormones, positive emotions, and pleasant physical sensations. Therefore, it is positive, meaningful relationships that make a difference in our lives.
Social Connection
There is a biological need for social connection. The “feel-good” hormone called oxytocin is produced in our bodies when we interact in positive, supportive, nurturing relationships. For example, oxytocin is produced when we get together with good friends, are around accepting co-workers, and are in romantic relationships. Higher levels of oxytocin go hand-in-hand with better communication and lower stress. However, connecting well with people may require emotional intelligence, social skills, and cultural sensitivity. These are skills we sometimes need to learn. In addition, emotions such as anger or resentment, difficulties with attachment, or past experiences get in the way of forming or maintaining meaningful bonds.
When relationships are positive, they bring joy and a sense of meaning to life. On the other hand, hostile or unsupportive relationships create stress, angst, and may threaten your self-esteem and physical health. This is because stress affects other systems in our body, such as raising blood pressure, increasing the sensations of pain, and affecting the immune system.
Therapy for Relationship and Interpersonal Issues
Does your mood, attachment style, or past experiences interfere with how you connect with people? You may benefit from exploring couples counseling or individual psychotherapy. Psychotherapy helps you understand some of the causes, roots, and origins of your relationship problems. Most times, we are not aware of the dysfunctional patterns learned during childhood based on role models, upbringing, or social influences that we bring into our reality. Consequently, psychotherapy can help you identify some of the origins of these unhelpful ways of perceiving and reacting to situations and then figure out ways to change them, such as by adjusting and maintaining your boundaries. These changes may allow you to experience a new sense of well-being based on your own changes while interacting with others in different and better ways.
Get in Touch
If you are interested in therapy for relationship and/or interpersonal issues in Vaughan, Thornhill, Markham, or the GTA, please call or text 905-597-4404 or fill out the form below and you will be contacted within 24 business hours.
