What is a toxic relationship?
You’ve probably heard the term ‘toxic relationship’ before but what does it actually mean? A toxic relationship is one that makes you feel demeaned, unsupported, misunderstood, or attacked. A toxic relationship can manifest itself psychologically, emotionally or physically and can seriously damage your wellbeing and mental health.
Any relationship that makes you feel worse rather than better can become toxic over time. Toxic relationships exist in just about any setting from your worklife to your homelife, and can exist within any relationship; from friends and family to marriages and partnerships.
How can toxic relationship therapy help?
We are here to support you, not to judge you. Together we will create a safe space in which you can talk freely and confidently. Whether you come to therapy on your own or with your partner, we will help you to identify and clarify the issues you are facing. Sometimes we don’t know how to express these – perhaps you’ve never articulated them before – don’t worry, we are here to help you find the right language.
How does therapy for toxic relationships work?
It’s important to note that toxic relationships rarely start out as toxic, and bringing things back to a salvageable place is possible. Toxic relationship counselling can help you to explore what the toxic relationship is about; how it is sustained, and how you might try to move out of this. It may be that you have developed an unsustainable, perhaps even dangerous, attachment to your toxic partner, where you believe that you cannot live without them even though they are not good for you.
Through toxic relationship counselling we can help you to feel independent rather than co-dependent, we will help you to develop your own self-confidence and self-worth so you no longer fear rejection or abandonment.
How we work
We often use a combination of therapies and psychological techniques, such as CBT for toxic relationships (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) [LINK to CBT holding page] to ensure you get the help you need.
Signs of a toxic relationship
It can be difficult to know whether your relationship is toxic. You may be in denial or too scared to be objective about your own relationship but if someone is consistently threatening your wellbeing – emotionally, psychologically, or physically – by the way they act, or what they say, then it’s likely you are in a toxic relationship.
Here are some of the most common signs of a toxic relationship:
● You feel unsupported, misunderstood or attacked
● You feel like you are walking on eggshells around this person
● You live in constant fear of upsetting this person
● The relationship brings out the worst in both of you, you are not your best-self around this person
● You spend a lot of time trying to make this person happy
● You feel devalued and disrespected
● You have low self-esteem, self-worth and lack confidence
What to expect from toxic relationship therapy
Therapy for toxic relationships can be the start of a longer process but others may find a shorter course of therapy is sufficient. We offer therapy and counselling sessions in person at our London offices, over the telephone and online. Our sessions are all tailored to suit your needs and usually last from 30 minutes to an hour. Our courses usually consist of around 6 to 12 sessions.
