Relationship Challenges

Relationship Challenges

You want connection, but it keeps feeling complicated.

You’re not asking for too much. You just want to feel close to someone, to trust that you’re loved, and to stop second-guessing everything you say or do. But relationships keep leaving you confused, exhausted, or disappointed.

You might be someone who feels anxious in relationships. You wonder if you're too needy, or not enough. You may shut down emotionally when things get hard, or become hyper-focused on whether the other person is pulling away. You replay conversations, over-analyze texts, and feel like you are always walking a tightrope between holding on and pushing people away.

Even in friendships or at work, you might struggle with boundaries, people-pleasing, or the fear of saying the wrong thing. It feels like you’re always managing how you come across to others. You want closeness, but the fear of rejection, conflict, or not being good enough keeps getting in the way.

It’s not just the current relationship. It’s a pattern.

Maybe this dynamic has played out in more than one relationship. You keep finding yourself in the same place, with different people. Or maybe one specific relationship has brought up old wounds that feel harder to ignore. It could be a romantic partner, a friend, a parent, or even a child.

Whatever the situation, you're tired of the cycle. You want to understand why this keeps happening and how to show up differently without losing yourself.

Therapy for Relationship Anxiety and Emotional Clarity

You don’t have to keep repeating the same patterns. Therapy can help you slow things down, understand your triggers, and learn how to build relationships that feel safe, reciprocal, and grounded.

Here’s how I help:

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

IFS helps you identify the parts of you that are working hard to keep you safe in relationships—whether that means shutting down, becoming hypervigilant, or trying to please everyone. In therapy, we get to know those parts with curiosity and compassion. As you connect with your core Self, you can begin to relate to others from a place of calm rather than fear.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT helps you uncover the beliefs and thought patterns that drive your relationship anxiety. Whether it’s “I’ll be abandoned,” “I can’t trust anyone,” or “If I speak up, I’ll be rejected,” we’ll work together to challenge those stories and practice new ways of thinking and responding.

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

ERP can be powerful for clients who experience obsessive thoughts about relationships or fear being "bad" or unlovable. Together, we will gently practice tolerating the discomfort of not knowing and resisting the urge to seek reassurance or over-fix. This creates space for more authentic connection and self-trust.

You can learn how to feel secure in relationships without abandoning yourself.

You don’t need to earn love by being perfect. You don’t have to keep performing, chasing, or disappearing to feel close to someone. Relationships can be hard, but they don’t have to hurt all the time.

Therapy is a space to be honest, to make sense of what’s happening inside of you, and to learn how to care for yourself while staying connected to others.

Ready to take the next step?
Reach out to schedule a free consultation. We’ll talk about what’s been coming up for you and how therapy might support your growth and healing.