What is Relational Therapy
Relational therapy is an approach grounded in the understanding that relationships—past and present—shape how we see ourselves, experience emotions, and navigate the world. In this model, healing happens not only by gaining insight, but by experiencing a safe, authentic, and responsive connection with your therapist.
Over time, this therapeutic relationship becomes a practice space for trying new ways of relating, expressing yourself, setting boundaries, and understanding your own needs and patterns.
The key principles of relational therapy include:
Shared Expertise: You are the expert on your own life; the therapist brings clinical knowledge, and together you leverage both.
Partnership: The relationship is a cooperative effort, fostering mutual respect and autonomy,
Dialogue: Focuses on open, honest conversation, actively listening and co-creating meaning and goals.
Why Relational Therapy Works
Relational Therapy works because connection is powerful. We are social beings and being seen, understood and supported helps people uncover patterns, process experiences and create lasting change. At the Relational Therapy Collective, our expertise complement our broader clinical toolkit, which includes CBT, EMDR, psychodynamic therapy, and other approaches. This allows us to integrate insight, skill-building, nervous-system regulation, trauma-informed practices, and structured interventions when needed.
When To Consider Relational-informed Therapy
This approach (often integrated with CBT, DBT, EMDR, IFS, or psychodynamic work) is especially helpful when you:
Feel stuck in recurring patterns in relationships
Struggle with anxiety, depression, connected to relational dynamics
Are healing from relational or childhood trauma
Hope to improve communication and interactions with partners and famil
Are navigating complex family systems or life transitions
Want deeper connection and emotional wellbeingDesire a safe, supportive, and collaborative therapeutic relationship