In a time where most people give up on their relationships too quickly, Robin Bryant, Ph.D., wants you to know that all relationships are worth the fight – if there is a willingness to work on it.
If you and your partner are caught in a toxic pattern and want to learn how to break free, Dr. Bryant is here to help. Within a relationship, there is always an opportunity to evolve and grow out of unhealthy cycles. The following are examples of toxic relationship traits that can be helped.
1. Codependent Relationships
One of the most prominent toxic qualities in relationships is codependency. Pay attention to times that you betray your needs to please your significant other. A healthy relationship consists of two individuals who love each other, who push each other to thrive.
This can sometimes mean compromise, but most of the time, it’s respecting each other’s boundaries and allowing individualism and personal growth. Dr. Bryant will help you navigate the waters between a codependent relationship and a one-sided one. In a loving partnership, you should always be able to be yourself and have your own space.
2. Dishonest Relationships
If you ever find yourself purposely hiding aspects of your life from the very person you plan to spend it with, some serious questions should be asked. Are you worried they may not accept a part of you? Scared of the consequences? One way or another, no relationship can last in a dishonest atmosphere.
Whether you feel like keeping secrets has gotten out of control or your partnership has recently been affected by a lie coming to the surface, Dr. Bryant will assess the situation and point you in the right direction so that you may mend it. Only if both partners are willing to, of course.
3. Jealous, Controlling Relationships
A little jealousy never hurt anyone, but if you feel uncomfortable about allowing your partner some privacy, there may be a problem. When you feel the need to go through text messages, receipts, or accompany your partner wherever they go, there comes a tipping point.
Unless there’s been a significant breach of trust within the relationship, you are an individual deserving of trust. It’s a must for any healthy partnership, romantic and platonic alike. Dr. Bryant will work on unpacking the root of you or your partner’s jealous nature as it could be very destructive in the long term.
4. Couples Counting Score
A relationship is not a tennis match, and no one should be holding up a scoreboard. Even the best of people make mistakes from time to time, and it is entirely reasonable for you and your partner to take turns being in the wrong. What’s not normal is holding past wrongs against your significant other.
There can be many reasons you have both normalized the “scoreboard” of wrongs, but one way or another, for a healthy relationship to push through, this must stop. Dr. Bryant will take the time to speak with you about more effective ways of talking about your feelings in times of turmoil.
You’re allowed to feel upset, but you shouldn’t be firing shots at your partner every time they mess up. Together, we’ll speak openly about past mistakes so that we may air them out and put them to rest, once and for all.
5. One-Sided Relationships
Being physically present in the relationship doesn’t exactly make you invested in it. When one partner is the only one putting in the effort, a fundamental imbalance starts to form. Being your own person is crucial to a healthy romance, but doing everything separately, being self-serving, and making no time for the other can be cause for valid questions.
Dr. Bryant can help you assess where you and your partner stand. If you’re both still committed to the relationship, she’ll help you uncover why the effort is lacking and assist you in finding a happy middle ground of independence. Sometimes, a little professional questioning and guidance are all that’s needed.
6. Couples Affected by One Partner’s Mental Health
Perhaps one of the most complex situations to be in: a partner’s mental health or individual issue can affect the dynamics of the relationship. In this case, there may be a significant reason to seek out individual therapy, but couples counseling can be extremely beneficial as well.
If you are dealing with depression, anxiety, panic disorder, or anything else, the first step is ensuring that you have reached out to a mental health professional to know how to manage the illness and effectively treat it. Know that it is not your fault, and it is very treatable. Dr. Bryant can provide you with coping tips and a safe space to talk about how things feel.
If you are in a relationship with someone with a mental health disorder, the hardest part can be the helplessness you feel. Remember – their recovery is not in your hands. Do your best to support them, but make sure to pull away and take time for yourself if situations become too draining. Dr. Bryant can provide you with individual therapy sessions to support you in this. Whether you like to admit it or not, your partner’s mental health may affect yours, and it’s just as crucial to addressing it.
Book a Consultation with Robin Bryant, Ph.D.
If you identify with any of the above, there is a chance that you’re caught in a toxic cycle. Speak with your significant other and see if they are willing to work on the situation. If so, don’t fret, there is still hope for your relationship.
Contact Robin Bryant, Ph.D. today to schedule a preliminary consultation. We offer flexible scheduling, and our phone lines are always available to take your call. If you have any questions or concerns about our sessions, our staff is happy to be of assistance.
Let’s get to the bottom of things so that you can enjoy that happily ever after, after all.