Couples counseling is the best approach we have for addressing issues in an existing relationship. Couples therapy methods, like Gottman, have been extensively searched and are proven to be effective at supporting a couple that is going through challenges or feels stuck at some stage in their relationship.
But what if you’re single?
Many relationship challenges “start” before a person has even gone on the first date. From patterns to traumas to attractions, a person can learn how to have a deeply committed relationship with a partner long before they have met that person.
Here at Flourish Psychology, we encourage those that are single or dating to also consider whether or not they might benefit from *individual relationship counseling* – counseling that is focused on how to help you find and maintain a fulfilling, happy relationship and love yourself in the process.
If you’re interested in singles counseling in New York City, give us a call and let’s connect you to a therapist that is ready to address your needs.
Benefits of Singles Therapy
Often the success of a relationship starts before you’re even in one. Everything from your relationship habits to the people you choose to date to the love you have for yourself are all affected by how we are when we’re single. The more we’re in a good place psychologically, the easier it is to have more successful, committed relationships with a partner that we’re really connected with – and also to do so in a way where we are not dependent on the relationship for us to be happy.
That is why, while couples counseling is a great way to address the issues of an *existing* relationship, singles therapy is a great way to find a better relationship in the first place. This type of counseling can provide many benefits, such as:
- Ability to Address Patterns of Behavior – Rather than wait to repeat a pattern, you can focus on how to address it before it starts, talking to your therapist about habits and issues that recur in relationships. This allows you to start the next relationship without those patterns present.
- Ability to Address Patterns in Relationship Choice – We tend to be attracted to the same type of people over and over again, even if those people are not the best for us. Through therapy, we can help determine who you’re really meant to be with and help make sure you’re growing attracted to people that are right for you.
- Learning to Love Yourself – People have more successful relationships, and are more likely to find a relationship, when they love themselves. They also are more likely to find happiness from any direction when they are also fine being alone. Indeed, you’re more likely to find someone that’s right for you when there is less pressure to be in a relationship. All of this comes from loving yourself, which is something we can work on in therapy.
- Addressing Existing Mental Health Challenges – It’s hard to manage a relationship of any kind when you’re already struggling with mental health issues. If you have anxiety, depression, or something else, therapy can help address it before you’re in a relationship so that it’s not a barrier to finding happiness.
- Gaining More Self-Awareness – Relationships often require truly knowing and understanding yourself and your actions. But self-awareness is hard, and many people that are single for a long time become more hardened in their ways. Therapy can help people build the ability to be more self-aware, resulting in the ability to be objective about behaviors in the relationship.
- Prepping Your Relationship Skills – You don’t have to be in a relationship to work on things like attachment issues, communication skills, how to open yourself up to intimacy, and more. Those can all come beforehand, as you learn more about yourself.
The idea behind relationship therapy is to have a more successful relationship. But there is no rule that you have to currently be in a relationship to benefit. If anything, the best relationships start when you’re at a place in your life where you feel your best about yourself.
If you are single or dating, and feel like you’re ready for something more, consider singles therapy with Flourish Psychology. Reach out today to learn more.