/create connection

As human beings, we are all social creatures, needing and craving connection. This might be an innate need, but that doesn’t mean that it comes easy to any of us. Oftentimes we may be enacting old patterns in our relationships, repeating dynamics from our family or from relationships that no longer serve us. Some patterns may be easy to detect, while others may be deeply engrained in our everyday functioning.

Reflecting on the following questions may help to provide some insight:

• Are there times that you feel like your partner, family member, or friend is misattuned to your needs?

• Do you have difficulty tapping into or even communicating what your needs actually are?

• Do you have difficulty setting boundaries in relationships? or upholding boundaries that are being asked of you?

• Does the idea of an intimate relationship feel too vulnerable?

• Do you tend to avoid connection altogether?

Developing a secure relationship with yourself and gaining insight around these patterns can be the first step in making a change towards healthier, more fulfilling relationships. Engaging in a therapeutic relationship can provide a safe space for self-reflection and understanding, as well as to provide a model for establishing vulnerable and intimate relationships.