Dr Axel Rüdiger Würz
Specialist Psychiatrist in Psychotherapy (UK)
MD, MRCPsych,DiplCBT,DiplClinHyp
Specialist Psychiatrist in Psychotherapy (UK)
MD, MRCPsych,DiplCBT,DiplClinHyp
Building Positive Relationships
Whether it is colleagues, the cashier at the supermarket, family members or a romantic partner. We are part of a network of interpersonal connections. Of course, some people prefer having others around them all the time and some people prefer longer stretches of solitude, yet we all have relationships, we all interact with others in some way.
Although relationships are what we as humans 'are all about', we are not always aware of what makes relationships flourish or turns them into exhausting battles. One reason for this is that relationships are so very important to us that they have the potential to 'push all the buttons' and trigger intense emotions such as anger and anxiety which usually go together with behaviours that destroy not build relationships. Another reason is that we often grow up supposing that the quality of relationships depends solely on the other person's behaviour. This false assumption is not surprising. After all we are expected to magically pick up how to negotiate relationships without ever being given a proper chance to learn the ingredients of strong and positive connections.
You can start shaping relationships in a positive way when you become aware of your own 'buttons' that tend to be pushed and of your emotions and behaviours that ensue. By becoming clear on your own values that you want to put into action within relationships you can start to explore new ways of behaving and communicating. This can shift relationships from frustrating and unfulfilling to something that feels supportive and rewarding.
Intimacy and Sex
In romantic relationships intimacy and sex enrich and strengthen the relationship. However, they can also be areas of worry, anxiety, stress, embarrassment, misunderstanding and discomfort. Whether the difficulties have been triggered by biological factors, stressful events for one or both partners or current challenges within the relationship, psychotherapeutic approaches help to make intimacy and sex a fulfilling part of life again.
Although relationships are what we as humans 'are all about', we are not always aware of what makes relationships flourish or turns them into exhausting battles. One reason for this is that relationships are so very important to us that they have the potential to 'push all the buttons' and trigger intense emotions such as anger and anxiety which usually go together with behaviours that destroy not build relationships. Another reason is that we often grow up supposing that the quality of relationships depends solely on the other person's behaviour. This false assumption is not surprising. After all we are expected to magically pick up how to negotiate relationships without ever being given a proper chance to learn the ingredients of strong and positive connections.
You can start shaping relationships in a positive way when you become aware of your own 'buttons' that tend to be pushed and of your emotions and behaviours that ensue. By becoming clear on your own values that you want to put into action within relationships you can start to explore new ways of behaving and communicating. This can shift relationships from frustrating and unfulfilling to something that feels supportive and rewarding.
Intimacy and Sex
In romantic relationships intimacy and sex enrich and strengthen the relationship. However, they can also be areas of worry, anxiety, stress, embarrassment, misunderstanding and discomfort. Whether the difficulties have been triggered by biological factors, stressful events for one or both partners or current challenges within the relationship, psychotherapeutic approaches help to make intimacy and sex a fulfilling part of life again.