Relate

Healthy relationships are one of the most important aspects of our lives. People who are more socially connected to family, friends, or their community are happier, physically healthier and live longer, with fewer mental health concerns than people who are less well connected. 

During childhood and adolescence we mimic the behaviour and emotions of those around us and learn how to engage with others from our parents and close family. During adolescence, friends and peers become more significant as young people become increasingly independent and form their own social networks.

This early socialisation shapes how we understand and model relationship-forming behaviour throughout life. The attachment that a child or young person has with their parent or guardian is an important predictor for mental health and wellbeing. Changes in family structure, and increased levels of relationship and family breakdown, can act to interrupt the forming of positive bonds, future attitudes to relationships and relationship satisfaction during adulthood. 

It’s the quality of your close relationships that matters, not the number of friends you have, or whether or not you’re in a committed relationship. Even past toxic relationships and negative experiences, such as bullying or social isolation, can be relevant and have a serious impact on your wellbeing. Living in conflict or within an unhealthy relationship is more damaging than being alone.

Therefore, exploring your relationships, understanding how you relate to others, finding humour, identifying the role of problem-solving, and reaching out to supportive family and friends are likely to form key aspects of the therapeutic work with Amber.