Relationship Therapy For Singles? Yes! And Here’s Why.

You may be thinking about why you would pursue relationship therapy if you are single…

We have answers.

Relationship therapy is not only for couples but also for individuals who are looking to be in relationships. Partnerships with spouses or significant others aren’t the only reason to seek relationship counseling.

You have relationships all around you whether they are friendships, family, bosses, or coworkers.

You likely show up differently in all of these relationships whether you know it or not.

And you may even be repeating patterns from family systems during your childhood in the relationships you have now.

This is why relationship therapy can be a next step for you.

Common Misconceptions About Relationship Therapy For Singles

As a single person, you may have misconceptions about relationship therapy because you may have received advice from someone who has already tried it, tried it yourself, or have a fear of getting started.

Read More: “A Guide To Clarifying Your Values in Relationships”

All of these reasons are okay, and we are debunking a few myths when it comes to relationship therapy as a single person:

1. You have to be in a relationship or dating to be in relationship therapy
2. You won’t benefit from relationship therapy
3. Talking about past emotional wounds will make them worse
4. If you need therapy for a relationship that doesn’t exist, it is doomed to fail
5. Conflicts in relationships can’t be helped in therapy

According to the Gottman Institute, love is not enough when it comes to relationships. It can be difficult to come to terms with this as a single person because you may think that love is the only answer or an answer that can improve your life.

Working with a relationship therapist can help you to see your patterns, shortcomings, and assets within partnerships.

By understanding these patterns, you can start to understand how you work with others, and you can start in environments like work within your family to help you.

Benefits of Relationship Therapy For Singles

The benefits of relationship therapy for singles are plentiful. Being in relationships with others can be improved when you take the time to help yourself in therapy.

So, what are some benefits when it comes to relationship therapy for singles?

You can learn about your relationship patterns and how you show up or get in the way:

Therapy can be a time for self-reflection.

Through therapy, you can learn about your attachment style, look at ways you communicate, and reflect on patterns you find yourself repeating in relationships.

Read More: “Attachment Styles and How They Show Up in Relationships”

This can be incredibly helpful in building stronger connections and healthier relationships with others (and yourself).

When you speak to an objective professional with training and understanding of relationships and barriers to connection, you can start to look at your patterns in a new way, whether that’s in romantic relationships, friendships, or with your family.

You can begin to approach relationships with more clarity of your strengths and knowing how you might contribute to unhealthy patterns, even unknowingly.

Once you gain more insights into your approach to being in relationship, you can take steps toward creating healthier connections and relationships in your life.

A therapist can help you show up for you while in relationship with others. They can help you decipher what might be best for you in a partnership and help you through the dating experience.

You can start to develop a relationship with yourself:

You spend every waking moment with yourself, and it is worth getting to know who you are as a person.

With your therapist, you can get in touch with your intuitive self; re-engage with what you know to be true about you – without the influence of others.

Read More: “The Light Side of Therapy. (Because It’s Not Always Hard)”

You may find that over your lifetime you have learned to adapt to what others’ needs or expectations of you are.

You may take on roles in friendship or other relationships that may leave you feeling misunderstood or not seen for who you are.

You may have learned to neglect your needs all together to take care of others.

You may show up in different relationships and situations with different personalities or energy to meet the expectations others may have of you or group norms that have been set.

Often, these ways of being aren’t done on purpose or with awareness; and sometimes they are. Over time, showing up for others before yourself can leave you feeling as though your needs or wants aren’t met or aren’t important.

A therapist can help you connect with who you are. They can help you understand why you engage with others in ways that may leave you with unmet needs.

This can help to increase kindness toward your self, self-love, self-care, and improve your social life when you develop a sense of who you are and who you want to be.

You can look at what you want in a partner: 

By starting relationship therapy as a single person, you can start to make goals, list values, and think about beliefs.

This can help you to identify what you want in a partnership and how you want to feel with a partner.

You don’t have to be in a relationship to create a template for a relationship that you would like to have in your life.

According to Business Insider, over 54 million people seek therapy in the United States, and that number is growing.

Relationship therapy can not only help you to figure who you are by yourself but also in relationship with others.

At Denver Metro Counseling, we offer therapy for individuals, group therapy, and family counseling.

It can be a place to start when you are ready to take the next step, and you are certainly not alone in doing so.

And when it comes to relationship therapy for singles… we’ve got you.

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Written by: Randi Thackeray, MA
Clinically Reviewed and Edited by: Julie Reichenberger, MA, LPC, ACS, NCC