This Is What You Should Expect From Therapy with Friends
Relationship therapy usually revolves around couples, marriages, and families. However, there is one more relationship that is equally fulfilling and lasting. Yes, we are talking about friendships! People often confide in their buddies and share their life’s secrets with them, thus sharing an excellent rapport with their close mates. Therefore, it is pretty normal for them to find happiness in their friends.
However, things take a wrong turn when such chemistry starts deteriorating. A relationship that is one of the pillars of your life suddenly starts shaking. What should you do in such a situation? Perhaps availing therapy along with your friend can be the way to push things back on track. Scroll down to know more details.
Why Is It Beneficial?
Individual and family therapy helps in mental healing, resolving several conflicts, achieving objectives of growth, and improving communication skills. On the same lines, consulting a qualified therapist can offer several benefits in therapy for friends. First, it helps in preventing corrosion in the relationship. As you all know, friendship, like every other relationship, needs maintenance from time to time. According to a study, friendships tend to get weaker as years go by, until and unless people keep in touch with each other. There remains a need to communicate regularly or spend quality time together.
Therapy would allow you and your friend to speak your heart out and share your expectations. It’s the job of a therapist to make you feel comfortable. Also, you might need to allow your friend to voice their opinions. They might not be pleasant to hear for you at times, but your task will be to listen. In the process, you develop good listening skills which people often lack. A study conducted in 2013 revealed that disclosure of certain facts and incidents helps create closeness between two people.
What Does This Therapy Address?
Long-lasting friendships too have their highs and lows. If you value your friendship, you have to work towards keeping it intact. You will have to address the conflicts and start adapting to the changing circumstances in life. In case a conflict crops up in your friendship, don’t allow it to fester. Instead, take the help of an impartial listener who can lend a helping hand, and restore the lost peace between you two. A sense of competition might eat away into the camaraderie you share with your friend. Competitions, if not healthy, can be detrimental to friendship.
Unhealthy interactions, e.g., toxicity, one-sidedness, and codependency, are not healthy at all. You might feel lonely and perhaps anxious as well. Distance can also be a factor. Often people take up jobs and become too focused on their respective careers.
Thus, it becomes hard for them to find time for their loved ones. As people grow old, family and professional commitments tend to steal the maximum amount of their time and energy. As a result, they hardly have any time left for their friends. This is where therapy for friends can help. To keep the closeness in your friendship intact, you will need the services of a therapist.
How Does This work?
After a detailed discussion and understanding of your history, a therapist might want to know why you sought therapy. They will try to understand the conflict and suggest resolution techniques that you can try.
They will also help you improve your communication skills to express your needs in a better way. The therapist might also work hand-in-hand with you to readily handle any other conflicts that can crop up in the future.
How Can You Find A Counselor?
You can consult a therapist who has ample experience in family and marriage counseling, and specialize in relationship building! A therapist who is quite experienced in conflict resolution can also be a good choice. A virtual therapist will come in handy if you and your friend don’t live in the same city. One interaction with them would tell you whether you are consulting the right person or not.
If you wish to set things straight between you and your friend, consult an impartial therapist. They can help you identify the areas where the problems lie. The therapist can teach you new and improved ways of communication.
More in Family Counseling
-
`
Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker’s “Attachment Parenting”
In the glamorous world of celebrity news, there’s nothing quite as exciting as the arrival of a new baby. Kourtney Kardashian,...
December 8, 2023 -
`
The Effect Of an Emotional Relationship on Your Well-Being
Emotional relationships are a profound and essential aspect of our lives, encompassing connections with partners, friends, family, and even ourselves. These...
November 29, 2023 -
`
Navigating Generational Differences in Healthcare Preferences
In today’s diverse workforce, catering to different generations’ healthcare needs and preferences can be quite a challenge for employers. Healthcare benefits,...
November 15, 2023 -
`
What Is ‘Sharenting’ & What Is the Psychology Behind It?
In the age of the internet, where oversharing is practically a pastime, ‘sharenting’ is a term that has emerged as a...
November 11, 2023 -
`
Self-care for PTSD
In today’s modern world, with our diverse experiences, dealing with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is not uncommon. Coping with PTSD can...
November 1, 2023 -
`
Celebrities Who Love to Gamble
Celebrities often live a life of glamour, luxury, and extravagance, and it’s no surprise that some have a penchant for high-stakes...
October 29, 2023 -
`
Fall and Winter Illnesses | How to Be Prepared
As the days grow shorter and temperatures drop, we bid farewell to the warm embrace of summer and welcome the beautiful...
October 17, 2023 -
`
5 Ways to Talk to Your Kids About Friendship
Friendship is a crucial aspect of your child’s life. It is where they learn valuable social skills, build trust, and create...
October 13, 2023 -
`
The Dark Side of Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) has become an integral part of our daily lives in our rapidly advancing digital age. From voice assistants...
October 5, 2023
You must be logged in to post a comment Login