Think of emotional safety as the glue that binds intimate relationships (and other close connections). It’s not a simple term but rather one that encompasses many aspects and is critical to healthy, secure and loving relationships.
The question is how much (or little) each partner feels heard, understood, validated, empathized with, prioritized, respected, trust and overall cared for by each other. The impact of a lack of emotional safety is resentment and disconnection, both which can kill your relationship.
The way you make improvements involves some steps:
- Clarity around what aspects of emotional safety are taking a hit for one or both of you.
- Identifying the behaviors that led to this.
- Learn what you need from each other to make change.
This can be challenging to accomplish on your own, especially if your communication has not been great and there are a lot of built up negative feelings or if one person in the relationship won’t acknowledge the issue or refuses to look at their own role.
The bottom line for so many of the issues that couples have is emotional safety. I help couples make improvements together and individuals who have partners that don’t get it, for whatever reason, and they’d like to try to make changes on their own.
Outside of Marin but in California? Check out my California Online Therapy services.
I’d like to reach out to Lisa to schedule now.
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Not quite ready for therapy but would like feedback and guidance by me? See my online chat Ask Lisa Consultation service on LoveAndLifeToolbox.com.
