Assertiveness is when we have strong self-esteem and maintain healthy boundaries. Assertive communication is direct and clear and makes space for the other person. When we are assertive, we tend to experience less anxiety and depression because we can stand …
Tag: Relationships
Taking Time Out from Your Family
It can be terrifying when you just think of the responses. You already know the tyranny of attacks coming your way, the talking about you behind your back, the guilt-tripping. Oh, yes, the guilt-tripping! Finding the right words that will …
Taking a Break from a Relationship
Taking a Break from a Relationship Itโs okay to take a break from a relationship while you work on it. It is okay to be in therapy, taking the time and space you need to get clear on what is …
Recognising When You Need Boundaries
Creating healthy boundaries in your relationships IS something that can be learned as an adult. As adults, even people who grew up with healthy boundaries will need to enforce those boundaries as they encounter different people with different boundary styles. …
Black Sheep: The Scapegoat
With the presence of a designated scapegoat, there may be a lot of hidden dysfunction. It can be much easier to hide an abusive marriage with the presence of a child who has problems and is constantly misbehaving, etc. No …
Black Sheep of The Family
If you were labeled the black sheep in your family, know this is only one potential dynamic that might have been playing out in your family. Every family is unique, with unique dynamics. Being the black sheep can be a …
Identifying Triangulation
Have you ever found yourself in a toxic triad? I know I have. Some triangles are healthy and helpful, for example, when work colleagues struggling with a piece of work approach their boss for some help, or when two quarreling …
The Effects of Drawing Children into Adult Conflicts
One of the most common examples of this is during a divorce. Both parents are vying for the emotional support of the children. They are consciously manipulating the children to align with them. This might take the form of comments …
What is Parentification?
Not everyone who experiences parentification also experiences negative effects as adults. However, some of the things you may experience are a loss of a sense of playfulness and a feeling of not having had a fun childhood. There is often …
7 Communication Skills That Will Change Your Relationship
๐ ๐ ๐ซ๐๐๐ญ ๐ฏ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ญ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ฆ๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ ๐๐ ๐ฌ๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฅ๐ข๐ค๐: โ๐ ๐ซ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐ ๐๐ญ ๐ก๐จ๐ฐ ๐ฎ๐ฉ๐ฌ๐๐ญ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ฐ๐๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ, ๐ข๐ญ ๐ฆ๐๐ค๐๐ฌ ๐ฌ๐๐ง๐ฌ๐ ๐ฐ๐ก๐ฒ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ ๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐ ๐ฌ๐จ ๐ฎ๐ฉ๐ฌ๐๐ญ ๐๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ญ.โโฃ โฃ I canโt overemphasise how healing it is to hear, โthe way you …