Therapy for Relationship Issues

Should I get therapy for relationship problems?

Is your relationship struggling? Do you feel emotionally distant from parents, siblings, and other family members? Are you having a difficult time making or keeping friends? Have you experienced frequent conflict or fighting with those you care about most? Or, are you dealing with the stress of starting a new relationship?

If you answered “yes” to any of those questions, chances are you could use some therapy for relationship issues!

Therapy for relationship issues focuses on helping you learn to connect, problem-solve, and build real-world relationships. This can be different from couples counseling, where a couple does therapy together to address issues in their relationship, as we would primarily be meeting one-on-one.

Some of the most common relationship issues addressed in therapy might include:

Sometimes, relationship difficulties can be related to being autistic or on the Autism Spectrum – which is why I also provide therapy services specifically tailored for autistic individuals and those who love them.

No matter what causes your relationship issues – I can help.

My name is Sarah Hart, MA, and I provide psychotherapy (also called counseling) for teens and adults from all over the Portland, Oregon area because no one should have to do this alone. If you are ready to go ahead and get started, please contact me today. To learn more about how psychotherapy can help, read on!

How will psychotherapy help with my relationships?

Healthy relationships depend on four things: intimacy, trust, commitment, and communication.

Every relationship has some degree of intimacy, whether it be physical, emotional, or both. You may be emotionally intimate with a confidant by sharing your thoughts and feelings with them, for example, and physically intimate when you give someone a hug. People who struggle with being intimate with others often feel disconnected and cold in their relationships.

Trust is all about reliability and confidence in others. Healthy relationships feel secure, safe, and steady. If there is a violation of trust, such as cheating, lying, or abuse, that safety quickly disappears. People who struggle with trusting others often find it difficult to form new relationships and maintain them long term for fear of being hurt.

Commitment is just what it sounds like – how dedicated people are to one another. A one-night stand, for example, would have little-to-no commitment, whereas a childhood and lifelong friend would have high commitment to you. People who have a difficult time with commitment often feel anxious when trust and intimacy are present, and sometimes this can push others away.

Although intimacy, commitment, and trust are important, effective communication is crucial for maintaining a strong relationship. Therapists are able to identify problematic patterns of communication and miscommunication and help you navigate relationships more effectively. Additionally, you can learn to build up your social skills and express your needs in ways that can be received by others.

Therapy for relationship issues is specifically designed to help you:

• Build communication skills
• Improve awareness and ability to meet relational needs
• Develop relational coping strategies
• Rebuild trust and intimacy
• Set norms and expectations
• Have authentic, meaningful relationships

What does therapy for relationship issues look like with Sarah Hart?

No matter how bad things might seem, you can regain a sense of control and freedom.

I believe that, with the right support, anyone can overcome life’s challenges – including you.

My sessions are entirely confidential and held in the comfort of my Portland office. I work hard to create a safe space where you can share without fear of judgment or criticism because I know how difficult it can be to ask for help.

Our first meeting is called the intake interview, during which I will ask you questions about your story to get a sense of what might be contributing to the problem. This also gives us a chance to get to know each other and answer any questions you might have before moving forward with therapy.

There is no “one size fits all” approach to treatment, which is why I use techniques from several therapeutic modalities into my practice to provide the help and healing you need. I primarily draw from Gestalt, Narrative Therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP). This allows me to use a flexible, multifaceted approach to understand what might be contributing to your relationship issues.

As you begin therapy, you can learn how to:

• Make sense of your unique story
• Have self-awareness and control
• Understand your thoughts and emotions
• Use self-compassion and acceptance
• Make progress towards your goals and aspirations
• Deal with thoughts of self-harm and suicide
• Think positively and be mindful
• Be active and have energy
• Cope with stress and worry
• Rediscover your sense of purpose and direction

You can learn to notice your thoughts and become aware of your inner experiences without letting them control your life. I work to boost your quality of life by bolstering inner strengths, shifting old and unhelpful patterns, and teaching useful skills that can help you achieve your goals.

You deserve a life free from the hurt and the hopelessness. You deserve a chance at wellness, a chance to pursue your goals. And I believe that, together, we can make that happen.

Interested? Let’s Work Together!

Interested in hearing more about my practice? Want to learn more about me and my story? Check out my About Me page! My hope is that you feel welcome and encouraged as you look through my site so that, when you are ready, we can begin your wellness journey.

Want to learn more about how I can help? I would love to hear from you. Click on Contact in the menu above!

In addition to therapy for relationship issues, I also help teens and adults with:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Autism (individuals and those who love them)
• Relationship problems
• Major life transitions
• Grief and loss
• Stress management
• And much more!

Contact me today to get started!

Phone Number: 503 967 9767

Office Address: 2931 Northeast Broadway Street | Top Floor | Portland, Oregon 97212