We ask a therapist - what does a healthy long term relationship look like?
We asked our Head Psychologist, Dr Tari Mack, what a healthy long term relationship looks like.
Here is what she said.
A relationship can only be as healthy as the unhealthiest member -
“You need to be taking care of your self first - doing things that make you feel good, taking care of your health, setting good boundaries, speaking your truth and hopefully your partner is doing that too.”
Communication -
“Communication is one of the most important things in a relationship. If you are able to really be honest with each other and say how you feel, and the relationship can hold that, the chances of that relationship continuing and growing are much better than if you feel like you're walking on eggshells and you can't fully express yourself.”
It’s not your job to teach your partner anything -
“Nobody's going to be taught unless they want to learn, so your job is just to set a boundary and say, I can't be in a relationship or I'm not being heard. I would suggest couples therapy and if your partner refuses to go to couples therapy, that's the beginning of the end - that will tell you everything you need to know.”
There needs to be mutual respect in every relationship. Focus on yourself, continue to see and look for the good in each other, appreciate each other and all of those things that felt so good at the beginning, continue to do that.
The OPENHOUSE Podcast with Louise Rumball
In Episode 19 of the OPENHOUSE Podcast, we looked at Kourtney Kardashaian - discussing all things breakups as we shine a light on what happens when the honeymoon phase ends.
We look at Kourtney’s evolution from someone who was once cold, boundaried, not very emotional and fairly private into someone who can’t stop expressing her love outwardly for her partner.
LOUISE RUMBALL & DR TARI MACK go deeper into:
What does a healthy long term relationship like?;
What to do after the honeymoon phase ends;
Therapist tips on how to keep the relationship alive;
Her experience of self-abandoning when she was younger; and
Her experience of setting boundaries, using her voice and the importance of authenticity in a relationship.
You can find the episode on SPOTIFY HERE or APPLE PODCASTS here.
Let us know how you enjoyed the episode and be sure to share this on social media, as well as giving us a rating and review on Apple or Spotify.
