I believe it because I have lived it. I have been in harmful and helpful therapeutic relationships in hospitals and treatment centers. My work is guided by my lived experience and the research of attachment and family systems theorists.

Relational therapy means that no matter how much we know about what’s wrong or what happened, what is most important is how you feel about the connection between you and I. Change often happens when we can make sense of things together, through a supportive, understanding relationship. Together we can understand what led to panic and overwhelm and use therapeutic methods to work our way out of there.

Safe relationships are a place to ask for a second chance, for accountability, to set limits, and to connect. We might experience temporary disconnection or misunderstandings within the therapeutic relationship, just as we do in every other relationship. Know that this is common, and provides a place to heal. I will not abandon you, yell at you, or criticize you. We will work together to repair, a practice that we are not often taught how to do.

Relational therapy also leads to you taking what we do together into your other relationships: setting limits, building connections, and inviting change. You may see a change in the way you interact with your chosen family as our time together makes an impact in how you see yourself.