Relational Therapy

Relational therapy is a therapeutic approach that was founded on the belief that a person must have fulfilling and satisfying relationships with the people around them in order to be emotionally healthy. Relational therapy handles emotional and psychological distress by looking at the client’s patterns of behavior and experiences in interpersonal relationships, taking social factors, such as race, class, culture, and gender, into account. Relational therapy can be useful in the treatment of many issues, but is especially successful when working with individuals seeking to address long-term emotional distress, particularly when that distress related to relationships. Relational therapy will help clients learn skills to create and maintain healthy relationships. Think this approach might be right for you? Reach out to one of TherapyDen’s relational therapy experts today.

Need help finding the right therapist?
Find Your Match

Meet the specialists

 

I use relational psychodynamic therapy because I see the relationship we build together as the crucible of change: it acts as both a window into your interpersonal world, and also an arena in which you can try on new ways of being. We learn how to see ourselves and the world around in relationship, and this can become known and changed in relationship. In a non-judgmental, compassionate space, we contact and rework the dynamics that keep you feeling stuck, dissatisfied, and in pain.

— Dave McNew, Psychologist in Seattle, WA

A strong relationship between a therapist and their client is one of the signatories of growth, potential, and healing. I leverage the evidence-based principles behind therapeutic teamwork and draw from psychodynamic, relational, and behavioral modalities, specifically including the research surrounding Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP). I also employ the research of Peter Fonagy and others to assist clients with considering a reflective or mindful approach to their lives.

— Brett Hammond, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Louisville, KY
 

In sessions, our relationship is important in that it will often reflect how you are in relationships outside of the session. And I believe almost everything is a relationship, your marriage, family, work, your relationship to yourself. If you have difficulties with relationships our sessions will be a safe space to practice overcoming these issues.

— Tracy Sondern, Associate Marriage & Family Therapist in Los Angeles, CA

Working relationally means I will connect with you as myself. I am a real person in the room with you, with humor and personality. I am not a blank slate, I will not sit silently and stare at you while you talk. I will still maintain professional boundaries and the focus will always be on you, I will listen empathically and share in your human experience.

— Rebecca Doppelt, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Pasadena, CA
 

Therapy is a very particular kind of relationship, but a relationship none the less. Sometimes dynamics and patterns you experience outside of therapy will find their way into therapy too. This creates a perfect opportunity to work through whatever feelings may be coming up in the moment and to explore them in real time to create deeper understanding and change.

— Laurie Ebbe-Wheeler, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Los Angeles, CA

A strong therapeutic relationship between a patient and therapist is pivitor for growth and healing. I have a very relaxed and warm style that is grounded in relational-cultural theory. This means that I focus on building a strong therapeutic connection while exploring relationship patterns, identities, and cultural elements.

— Tonya Grieb, Post-Doctoral Fellow in Lakewood, CO
 

The goal of couples counseling isn't to help you avoid or eliminate conflict. All relationships cycle from harmony, disharmony, and repair. The goal of my work is to help you repair more quickly and more effectively. Intimacy can be scary. It is, after all, making one's self vulnerable, allowing the other to see inside you. That's why we will also work to increase your self-awareness in therapy. How can you share of yourself if you don't know yourself?

— Mark Cagle, Counselor in Dallas, TX

Relational therapy is similar to psychodynamic therapy, in that it focuses more the relationship between patient and therapist. Both modalities understand that it is through the relationship that a person heals. We are formed in relationship. We are harmed in relationship. And we heal through relationship.

— James Nole, Counselor in Seattle, WA
 

I view therapy as a collaborative and empathic relationship between us. We will explore the dynamics of your relationships, both past and present, and how they may be impacting your well-being.

— Aline Zelenskiy, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate in Seattle, WA

Relational therapy is a type of counseling that focuses on the importance of our relationships in shaping our emotional well-being. It helps individuals understand how past and present relationships impact their thoughts and feelings, and it aims to improve communication, connection, and overall relationship quality. I collaborate with my clients to explore and address relational issues, aiming to enhance emotional health and promote more satisfying interactions with others.

— Julie Bloom, Professional Counselor Associate in Portland, OR
 

The secret sauce to good therapy is the relationship between therapist and client. This is why you've probably heard so much about "fit." For therapy to work, you need to feel safe. It's not that you'll trust your therapist right away, because trust has to be earned and built. But you'll have the sense you can share personal or vulnerable information with your therapist and they'll hold it close, with love and respect.

— TESSA SINCLAIR, Marriage & Family Therapist in San Francisco, CA

Therapy is unique in that it provides a place where you can observe and discuss a relationship as it develops. This is often uncommon in other relationships. Depending on who you are and where you are in your treatment, it can be very beneficial to learn how to understand your relationship patterns through real-time, objective feedback. I share my observations about our therapeutic relationship in order to help you learn to improve your personal and professional relationships.

— Adam Kaluzshner, Clinical Psychologist in Philadelphia, PA
 

I view therapy as a collaborative and empathic relationship between us. We will explore the dynamics of your relationships, both past and present, and how they may be impacting your well-being.

— Aline Zelenskiy, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate in Seattle, WA

Often times, the therapist-client relationship is most healing, which is the basis of relational therapy.

— Monica Parham, Mental Health Counselor in New York, NY
 

The relationship (safety, trust, feedback, consistency, empathy, understanding) between client and therapist is the #1 predictor of success in mental health treatment. I believe relationships/connection is the key to healing. Relationship with ourselves, loved ones, the planet, etc. Using the therapeutic relationship to practice new ways of thinking, feeling, and interacting can be a powerful way to heal and redesign your life outside of therapy.

— Dr. Desiree Howell, Psychologist in Kingsland, GA