Interpersonal Relationships

Interpersonal difficulties refer to problems establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships. Such difficulties may stem from feelings, thoughts, behaviours, or a lack of skills that impede your ability to foster connections in particular types of relationships.

Interpersonal difficulties are common. Arguably, this will be affected by the rise in use of technology.  Interpersonal difficulties may be more enduring for some people than others. 

 Social skills play a crucial role in nearly all our interactions and relationships with others. When interpersonal difficulties pose significant problems at school and work as a result of poor communication skills or conflict, this can adversely affect a person's social support network, which is vital to emotional well-being.

Interpersonal difficulty can also negatively impact family relationships and building and maintaining close friendships. This can ultimately lead to isolation and depression.

We provide interpersonal therapy to help you develop greater awareness and better social skills so you can build happier, healthier relationships.

With families, we use a variety of approaches discussed on the "Family Therapy" page.  For individuals, we use cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT). Through DBT, you’ll develop greater awareness, learn to regulate your emotions, tolerate distress better, and improve your interpersonal skills. 

 The length of interpersonal psychotherapy may depend, in part, on the cause and severity of your difficulties. Treatment can take several weeks to a year or more to develop complete awareness and the skills to manage maladaptive behaviours so that you can build and maintain healthier relationships.