Relationship Issues and How a Psychologist in Melbourne Can Help

When Might Relationship Issues Benefit from the Help of a Psychologist?

Conflict and disagreement are a normal part of any close relationship. Differences in opinions, values, and belief systems are to be expected. However, when conflict becomes chronic or leads to ongoing stress and emotional distress, it can impact mental and physical health in significant ways. Painful relationships may affect mood, self-esteem, and overall well-being, as well as our ability to function at work and in daily life.

If you’re struggling with relationship challenges, seeking support from a psychologist in Melbourne can be a valuable step in understanding and addressing these issues.

Common Relationship Issues Addressed in Therapy

People seek therapy for relationship concerns for a variety of reasons. Some of the most common include:

• Communication difficulties
• Longstanding unhelpful emotional and behavioural patterns
• Trust issues
• Jealousy, envy, or other painful emotions in relationships
• Blended family challenges
• Parenting conflicts
• Dishonesty or lack of transparency
• Lack of clear boundaries
• A sense of emotional distance or growing apart
• Feeling unsupported or as though one partner’s needs aren’t being met
• Abusive or destructive patterns

If you’re looking for ways to improve communication within your relationship, you may find this guide on improving communication with your partner helpful.

How Our Melbourne Psychologists Help with Relationship Issues

When relationship concerns involve a couple, couples therapy may be recommended. At Cova Psychology, we use the Gottman Method of relationship therapy, which is an evidence-based approach to strengthening relationships.

If relationship difficulties are being explored in individual therapy, the focus may include:

• Recognising personal behavioural patterns
• Developing insight into how you contribute to relationship challenges
• Learning how to set healthy boundaries
• Improving assertive communication skills
• Reducing unhelpful communication styles (such as passive or aggressive patterns)
• Exploring personal expectations and their impact on relationships
• Understanding the give-and-take of relationships and how to advocate for mutual respect
• Responding effectively to communication that violates boundaries or becomes destructive
• Considering whether ending a relationship is the best course of action in some cases
• Accepting unchangeable aspects of relationships and learning how to manage them

For many people, past experiences can shape how they navigate relationships. Unresolved psychological trauma may play a role in relational difficulties. If this resonates with you, you might find this article on psychological trauma and its impact useful.

As part of therapy, your psychologist will conduct a thorough assessment of your concerns and work collaboratively with you to create a personalised treatment plan. This may involve therapies such as:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to address unhelpful thought patterns
• Attachment-based therapy to explore how past experiences shape relationship dynamics
• Interpersonal therapy to enhance communication and relational skills
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) for emotion regulation in relationships
• Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) if past trauma is affecting relationships

If you’re considering therapy but are unsure where to start, you may find it helpful to explore therapy options in Melbourne to better understand what to expect from the process.