What Is Relational Therapy?
The phrase relational therapy has been floating around recently. You might be wondering what is relational therapy anyway? Or maybe you know what it is and you’re wondering if it would be beneficial to you. I hope that what I share in this post will help fill in some of the blanks about relational therapy and whether or not it would be helpful for you.
Relational Therapy
Relational therapy is a systemic framework through which therapists explore all the systems you are a part of and help you find solutions in places you might never have thought to look. A relational therapist conceptualizes their clients’ lives through a lens that includes more than just the individual. We look at your family, career, friendships, romantic relationships, religion, and even the society you are a part of.
Benefits of Relational Therapy
Holistic Care - When you engage with a relational therapist, you aren’t encouraged to focus on your problem. Instead, you are encouraged to look at yourself and your relationships, and that relational, systemic lens frees you to see resources, opportunities, and solutions that exist in your life already. Essentially, relational therapy makes room for all of you, body, mind, and spirit, and all that you bring into the therapy room with you.
Systemic, Societal Issues - Relational therapy is systemic in nature, so it is never going to overlook the impact of systemic, societal issues on your life. Racism, sexism, and all other isms will be taken into account in the therapy room because how you relate to and function in the world around you is important.
Familial Issues - Sometimes we can’t bring our families into the therapy room because they don’t live nearby or they just don’t want to come. Relational therapy brings your loved ones into the room without them having to be there because it takes into account how those relationships impact you.
Healing Relationships - Sometimes we can bring our loved ones into the room and that creates a phenomenal opportunity to heal relationships that just haven’t been working well. Relational therapy gladly makes room for you and your loved ones to be physically present in the therapeutic process. That means couples, parents and children, siblings, friends, or the entire family are welcome!
Is Relational Therapy Right For Me?
I hate to answer a question with a question, especially since therapists are notorious for it, but I have to ask. Do you need therapy that takes all of you and your relationships into account in conceptualizing challenges and finding solutions? Does it sound good to have your body, mind, and spirit engaged in your growth? Do you like the idea of therapy that takes into account your ethnicity and the challenges that come with living in a society that may not embrace you? Would it be helpful to have a place for you and your partner, child, or family to process ways to relate to one another that feel healthier?
Start Today
If you answered yes to any of those questions, relational therapy might be a good fit for you. So what are you waiting for? Take the first step to getting what you need and moving toward the life you want today. Reach out to a relational therapist in your city and get started.
Find a Relational Therapist
A google search is a good place to start. You could also utilize therapist referral websites such as Psychology Today, Zencare, or Mental Health Match. Once you are there, you can try to find a Marriage and Family (MFT) therapist. You can also search for a couples therapist if that applies. As you look at therapists’ profiles, look for keywords like relational, relationship, family, or systemic. The American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) has a therapist locator page. You can check that out here as an added resource. If you reside in Maryland, I would be glad to hold space for you and offer you relational therapy that could be the link to the life you’ve been desiring for so long. You can book a free mutual-fit call to explore the possibility of working with me.