Emotional Freedom Technique - Clinical Tapping

Unlocking the Healing Power of EFT Tapping

Harnessing the Science Behind Emotional Freedom Techniques

In recent years, Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), commonly referred to as "tapping," has gained significant attention in psychological and wellness communities.

Pioneered by Dr. Peta Stapleton, a clinical and health psychologist, EFT combines elements of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with acupressure to reduce psychological and physiological stress. Let’s dive into the science and benefits of this evidence-based intervention.

What is EFT Tapping?

EFT is a therapeutic tool that involves tapping on specific acupuncture points on the body while focusing on a particular emotional or physical issue. The process is simple yet powerful.

By combining physical stimulation of meridian points with verbal affirmations, EFT aims to recalibrate the brain’s response to stress and trauma.

The Science Behind EFT

Dr. Stapleton, a leading researcher in the field, has conducted extensive studies showcasing EFT's efficacy in addressing issues like anxiety, depression, PTSD, weight management, and chronic pain. Her research has demonstrated:

Reduction in Cortisol Levels: Cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone, decreases significantly after a single session of EFT. In one groundbreaking study, participants experienced a 24% reduction in cortisol after tapping, compared to 14% for those who engaged in traditional talk therapy.

Changes in Brain Activity: Functional MRI scans have shown that EFT can alter brain activity, particularly in the amygdala and hippocampus, areas associated with the fight-or-flight response. This helps the brain process distressing memories in a less reactive manner.

Improved Emotional Regulation: EFT helps desensitize emotional triggers, enabling individuals to feel calmer and more grounded when confronted with past traumas or current stressors.

How to Use EFT Tapping

The EFT process typically follows five steps:

Identify the Issue: Pinpoint the specific problem you want to address (e.g., anxiety about public speaking).

Rate the Intensity: Assess how distressing the issue feels on a scale from 0 to 10.

Set Up a Statement: Create a setup statement like, "Even though I feel anxious about public speaking, I deeply and completely accept myself."

Tap on Meridian Points: Using your fingers, tap on specific points in a sequence, including the side of the hand, eyebrows, side of the eyes, under the eyes, under the nose, chin, collarbone, and under the arms. Repeat affirmations while tapping.

Reassess Intensity: After a few rounds, rate the intensity again. Repeat the process until the intensity drops significantly.

Applications of EFT

Dr. Stapleton’s work has shown that EFT is effective for a wide range of issues:

Stress and Anxiety: EFT provides immediate relief by calming the nervous system and reducing physical symptoms of anxiety.

Weight Loss: EFT has been shown to help individuals address emotional eating by resolving subconscious blocks and improving body image.

Trauma and PTSD: It helps people process traumatic memories safely and reduces symptoms of post-traumatic stress.

Why EFT Works

The effectiveness of EFT lies in its dual action: addressing the psychological aspect of an issue (thoughts and emotions) and simultaneously calming the body’s physiological stress response. This holistic approach fosters both mental clarity and physical relaxation, making it a versatile tool for self-healing.

Final Thoughts

Dr. Peta Stapleton’s research highlights EFT tapping as a scientifically validated, accessible method for enhancing mental well-being. Whether you’re managing daily stress or overcoming deeper emotional wounds, EFT empowers you to take charge of your mental health in a simple, non-invasive way.

If you’re curious about EFT, consider seeking guidance from a trained practitioner or exploring Dr. Stapleton’s resources. This transformative technique may be the key to unlocking a healthier, more balanced you.



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How to Help Those We Love

How to Help Those We Love, Inspired by Alain de Botton

Loving someone is simple, right? Yet when it comes to helping those we love, it often proves challenging and complex. We all want to support our partners, friends, and family, but finding the best approach can feel elusive.

1. Understand Before Solving

We often feel an instinctual need to “fix” things for those we love, but real help begins with understanding. One of de Botton’s central teachings is that we don’t need to offer solutions as much as we need to make people feel seen and heard. Listening without judgment or immediate solutions conveys a deeper level of respect, showing that we’re here to witness their struggles, not just patch them up. Sometimes, simply reflecting their feelings back to them can be more effective than any advice.

2. Respect Their Autonomy

Love can sometimes lead us into the territory of control, even when it’s well-intentioned. While it’s natural to want the best for our loved ones, the way we approach it can easily slip into a subtle overreach.

By respecting their autonomy, we let them know that we have faith in their ability to navigate their own lives. This might mean resisting the urge to give advice until it’s asked for or accepting that their journey may not look like the path we envision. Alain de Botton often emphasizes the need to let people find their way, gently offering support rather than directives.

3. Embrace the Imperfection of Help

The idea of a “perfect helper” is a myth. We’ll stumble, sometimes offering advice that backfires or sharing a perspective that misses the mark. Instead of expecting ourselves to be flawless, we can learn to embrace the imperfection of our efforts. According to de Botton, one of the gifts of a deep relationship is that it allows room for mistakes, forgiveness, and growth. The act of helping is less about getting it right and more about being present, willing, and humble enough to accept when we’ve missed the mark.

4. Encourage Self-Reflection, Not Dependence

Alain de Botton suggests that the best help is often indirect. When we encourage our loved ones to explore their own thoughts and feelings, we empower them to grow independently. This could be through gentle questions that prompt self-reflection, like “What do you feel would make you happiest?” or “What are some other options you could consider?”

By inviting them to articulate their own insights, we create a safe space for them to develop resilience and self-understanding, leading to genuine change rather than dependence on us.

5. Be Patient with Their Process

Helping others often means being patient – not expecting change to happen immediately and realizing that people may not always heed our well-meaning advice. De Botton highlights that personal growth is a meandering journey, not a straight line.

Our loved ones may need time to experiment, make mistakes, and figure things out. Offering encouragement, even when they take longer than we’d like or stray from our suggested path, reassures them that we’re in it for the long haul.

6. Let Love Be Enough

At the heart of Alain de Botton’s philosophy on relationships is the idea that love, in its truest form, is often all the help someone needs. Our presence, our empathy, and our willingness to support without demands are profoundly healing.

Simply being there, bearing witness to their struggles and triumphs, is often more than enough. By offering love that is gentle, compassionate, and free of conditions, we let those we care about know they are valued for who they are, not what they achieve.

Helping those we love doesn’t mean fixing them or directing their lives; it means being a steady, kind, and understanding presence as they navigate their unique path. As Alain de Botton might say, real help is quiet, respectful, and deeply human.

It’s in this space of acceptance that we find the truest connection and the most profound way to support the people we cherish.


 

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Feeling Under-appreciated?

Do you feel under-appreciated by your partner? Or maybe your partner says you don’t appreciate them enough?

Showing each other regular love and appreciation is a huge part of a healthy, happy relationship. It’s also one of the antidotes of the infamous Four Horsemen, specifically contempt.

Here are 3 ways to build a culture of appreciation in your relationship:

1: Practice Small Things Often.

If you regularly express appreciation, gratitude, affection, and respect for your partner, you’ll create a positive perspective in your relationship that acts as a buffer for negative feelings.

2: Show and verbalize regular appreciation and admiration for each other.

Look for ways of letting the other person know that they are important and valued, focus on what you cherish in each other and share those thoughts regularly, and show affection on a regular basis.

3: Try to have more positive interactions in your relationship than negative ones.

Dr. John Gottman terms this the “magic ratio” or “the 5:1 ratio” and uses a banking metaphor to describe it. Essentially, if you have five or more positive interactions for every one negative interaction during conflict (20:1 outside of conflict), then you’re making regular deposits into your emotional bank account, which keeps your relationship in the green.

The bottom line: focus on creating more positive interactions with your partner.

When all else fails, spell it out:

I appreciate ________ about you because ________.

I appreciate that you are so ________ . It means ________ to me.

I love that you ________.

Shared from The Gottman Institute Newsletter.


 

If you would like some support exploring your emotions, relationships or the challenges you are experiencing, counselling can provide a safe and supportive space to slow down, gain perspective and develop a deeper understanding of yourself.

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Emotional Intelligence

The Power of Emotional Intelligence: Building Stronger Relationships and a Happier Life

In the world of psychology, emotional intelligence (EI) has emerged as one of the most transformative concepts for understanding human relationships and personal well-being. Pioneered by psychologist Daniel Goleman in his landmark book Emotional Intelligence, this concept delves into how self-awareness, empathy, and emotional management can shape the way we live, connect, and thrive.

What is Emotional Intelligence?

Emotional Intelligence, as described by Goleman, is the ability to recognize, understand, and manage our own emotions while also recognizing, understanding, and influencing the emotions of others. Unlike traditional views that emphasize cognitive intelligence (IQ) as the primary indicator of success, Goleman’s work shows that EI is equally, if not more, important in personal, professional, and social spheres. Goleman breaks down emotional intelligence into five key components:

Self-Awareness

Self-awareness is the ability to recognize and understand our own emotions and how they affect our thoughts and behavior. This self-knowledge is foundational to EI, as it enables us to identify our strengths and weaknesses and make adjustments in response to challenging situations.

Self-Regulation

Self-regulation involves managing one’s emotions in a healthy and constructive manner. By being able to stay in control and avoid impulsive reactions, we are better equipped to handle stress and maintain a positive outlook.

Motivation This component refers to our internal drive to pursue goals with energy and persistence. People with high emotional intelligence are often intrinsically motivated, finding purpose and passion in their pursuits, which boosts resilience and enthusiasm.

Empathy Empathy, or the ability to understand and share the feelings of another, is crucial for building deep connections. Those with strong empathy are often more adept at managing relationships and responding to others in supportive and compassionate ways.

Social Skills

Lastly, social skills refer to the ability to manage relationships and navigate social complexities effectively. This includes skills like active listening, clear communication, conflict resolution, and team collaboration.

Why Emotional Intelligence Matters

Goleman’s research underscores that EI plays a pivotal role in nearly every aspect of life. Unlike IQ, which is relatively fixed, emotional intelligence can be developed and enhanced throughout one’s life. Here’s why it matters:

Enhanced Relationships

High EI leads to more positive and meaningful relationships. When we understand our own emotions and those of others, we communicate more effectively, resolve conflicts with less friction, and foster mutual trust.

Better Mental Health

Emotional intelligence promotes resilience and mental wellness. It helps us manage stress, navigate life’s challenges with balance, and maintain a positive perspective. By building EI, we improve our ability to cope with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.

Workplace Success

Research shows that EI is a strong predictor of success in the workplace. Leaders with high emotional intelligence tend to be more effective, as they inspire, motivate, and empathize with their teams. Employees with high EI are more likely to be cooperative, adaptable, and engaged.

Improved Physical Health

Studies also indicate a link between emotional intelligence and physical health. By managing stress and maintaining positive social connections, individuals with high EI may experience better health outcomes and a stronger immune response.

How to Build Emotional Intelligence

The good news is that emotional intelligence is not a fixed trait. Here are practical ways to cultivate EI in your daily life:

Practice Self-Reflection

Spend a few minutes each day reflecting on your emotions and actions. Try journaling to capture your thoughts and understand what triggers certain emotional responses.

Develop Mindfulness

Mindfulness practices like meditation can increase self-awareness and reduce impulsivity. By focusing on the present, you become more attuned to your emotions and gain better control over them.

Empathize Actively

Engage in active listening and try to see situations from the perspective of others. This practice can be as simple as validating someone’s feelings, which deepens your understanding and shows compassion.

Manage Stress Wisely

Develop healthy stress-management techniques such as deep breathing, exercise, or talking to someone you trust. These tools allow you to handle emotions without letting them overwhelm you.

Seek Feedback

Constructive feedback helps you understand how others perceive you, allowing you to adjust and grow. Seek feedback from friends, family, or colleagues to gain insights into your strengths and areas for improvement.

Final Thoughts

Emotional intelligence, as Daniel Goleman explains, is a life skill that transcends age, career, or personal background. It empowers us to navigate life’s complexities with resilience, empathy, and self-assurance. By investing in our emotional intelligence, we not only enrich our lives but also uplift those around us.

Developing emotional intelligence is a journey, but it’s a journey worth taking. As we become more aware, empathetic, and adaptable, we unlock a version of ourselves that is more connected, more fulfilled, and better equipped to meet the challenges of life head-on.


 

If you would like some support exploring your emotions, relationships or the challenges you are experiencing, counselling can provide a safe and supportive space to slow down, gain perspective and develop a deeper understanding of yourself.

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Drop the Drama

Understanding the Drama Triangle: A Guide to Breaking Free from Unhealthy Relationship Dynamics

Have you ever found yourself stuck in the same kind of conflicts over and over, feeling powerless or caught up in the drama of other people’s problems?

You may be part of a common social pattern called The Drama Triangle, a concept introduced by Dr. Stephen Karpman in the 1960s.

Stephen Karpman talks about the origins of his "Drama Triangle" with David Emerald

This triangle represents three roles people tend to fall into during conflicts or dysfunctional relationships: the Victim, the Rescuer, and the Persecutor.

Understanding these roles and how to step out of them can be life-changing. Here’s how it works and what you can do about it.

What Are the Roles in the Drama Triangle?

The Victim

The Victim feels powerless, blaming others or the situation and often saying, "Poor me," or "There’s nothing I can do."

This isn’t a literal victim in a crisis or abusive situation; instead, it’s someone who adopts a helpless mindset, avoiding responsibility for change.

The Victim might avoid taking action or depend on others to rescue them, even if it’s at the cost of their independence and growth.

The Rescuer

The Rescuer jumps in to help—often unasked. They may feel a sense of worth and purpose from solving others' problems but can end up enabling the Victim by keeping them dependent.

Rescuers are often saying to themselves, "Let me fix it for you," even if it’s not their responsibility. While the Rescuer may mean well, this role can prevent others from finding their own solutions.

The Persecutor

The Persecutor points fingers and assigns blame. They tend to control or criticize to avoid feeling powerless or vulnerable themselves.

The Persecutor says, "This is all your fault," or "Why can’t you do things right?" Though this role may provide a sense of control, it often makes others feel defensive and resentful.

Why Do We Get Caught in the Triangle?

The Drama Triangle can feel like a trap, and people often shift between roles, creating a toxic cycle.

The Victim might suddenly lash out (becoming the Persecutor), or the Rescuer might feel overwhelmed and blame the Victim for being needy.

Sometimes, people fall into these roles because they learned them early on or because it feels familiar. Others might gravitate to these roles because they provide a temporary sense of purpose or control, but this comes at the cost of authentic, healthy relationships.

How Can We Step Out of the Drama Triangle?

Breaking free from these roles is possible, but it requires a conscious effort to change your mindset and interactions. Here’s how:

Be Mindful of Your Role The first step is recognizing the role you’re playing. When you feel yourself slipping into Victim, Rescuer, or Persecutor mode, take a step back and observe. Ask yourself, "What role am I playing, and why?"

Take Responsibility for Your Own Emotions and Choices

Instead of blaming others, try to see where you have control. If you feel helpless as a Victim, ask, “What small steps can I take to improve the situation?” If you often feel the need to rescue others, ask if you’re helping out of genuine care or a need to feel needed.

Practice Empathy and Boundaries

For Rescuers, it’s important to respect others’ ability to handle their own challenges. Offer support without taking over. For Persecutors, empathy can be a powerful antidote. Rather than assigning blame, try to understand the other person’s perspective.

Embrace the Empowerment Triangle

The Empowerment Triangle, an alternative concept to the Drama Triangle, reframes the roles positively.

Here, the Victim becomes a Creator, focusing on solutions.

The Rescuer becomes a Coach, encouraging others to find their own answers.

The Persecutor becomes a Challenger, offering constructive feedback without judgment.

By adopting these roles, relationships become healthier, and everyone involved can grow.

Breaking the Cycle: Moving Toward the Empowerment Dynamic

The antidote to the Drama Triangle is found in developing what David Emerald refers to as "The Empowerment Dynamic" (TED), which introduces three alternative roles: Creator, Challenger, and Coach.

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The Creator steps out of the Victim mindset and takes ownership of their experiences and responses. Instead of feeling powerless, the Creator seeks solutions, sets goals, and recognizes their ability to influence outcomes.

The Challenger offers constructive criticism and encourages growth rather than adopting a critical or controlling stance. They respect boundaries and empower others to find their own answers rather than imposing blame or authority.

The Coach supports others without enabling dependency, encouraging autonomy and self-efficacy. Instead of solving problems, the Coach helps others to develop their own problem-solving skills and to explore their capabilities.

By adopting the Creator, Challenger, and Coach roles, individuals move away from reactive, drama-filled interactions and toward empowering, constructive relationships. This shift requires self-awareness, boundary-setting, and an intentional commitment to new patterns of behavior.

Breaking the Cycle

Stepping out of the Drama Triangle is a journey that requires self-awareness and practice. By understanding the roles we play and making small shifts toward responsibility, empathy, and empowerment, we can create more satisfying, meaningful relationships.

The next time you find yourself pulled into drama, take a moment to pause, reassess, and choose a role that aligns with a healthier, more constructive approach. After all, life is complicated enough—why stay caught in unnecessary drama?


 

If you would like some support exploring your emotions, relationships or the challenges you are experiencing, counselling can provide a safe and supportive space to slow down, gain perspective and develop a deeper understanding of yourself.

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Relationship Rescue - 4 Things to Stop Doing Today

Four Ways We Can Unintentionally Make Conflict Worse

All relationships have conflict. It is a very normal part of being in a relationship. Two people are never going to agree about everything, and even very loving couples can become frustrated, hurt, disappointed or angry with one another.

What matters is not whether you have conflict, but how you deal with it.

The Gottman Institute spent many years studying couples and observing the patterns that were associated with relationships thriving or struggling. Their research identified four particular behaviours that can be especially damaging to a relationship. They became known as The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse — a rather dramatic name for four very common ways of communicating!

The good news is that these behaviours are not inevitable. Once you can recognise them, you can start noticing when they appear in your own conversations and practise doing something different.

Here are the four behaviours to watch for:

1. Criticism

Criticism is more than saying that you are unhappy about something. It is when a complaint about a particular behaviour becomes an attack on the other person's character.

There is a big difference between:

“I was really disappointed that you didn't call to let me know you were going to be late.”

and:

“You never think about anyone but yourself. You're so inconsiderate.”

The first is a complaint about something that happened. The second makes a judgement about who the person is.

When criticism becomes a regular part of a relationship, the other person can begin to feel that they are constantly being judged or that they cannot do anything right.

Try this instead: Talk about the specific behaviour and how it affected you. Start gently with what you are feeling or needing rather than attacking the person.

“I felt worried when I didn't hear from you. Could you let me know next time if you're going to be late?”

2. Contempt

Contempt takes criticism a step further. It communicates that you are better than your partner, or that your partner is somehow beneath you.

It can show up as sarcasm, ridicule, mocking, name-calling, sneering, eye-rolling or deliberately speaking to your partner with disrespect.

Sometimes contempt is hidden behind humour. A couple may laugh about it, but if the humour is being used to belittle or humiliate the other person, it can still be damaging.

Contempt is particularly destructive because it attacks the person's sense of worth. It is very difficult to feel emotionally safe with someone who regularly treats you with disdain.

Try this instead: Even when you are angry, remember that this is someone you care about. You can be very unhappy with someone's behaviour without treating the person themselves with disrespect.

Try asking yourself: “If I spoke to a friend this way, would I consider it respectful?”

3. Defensiveness

When we feel criticised, it is very natural to defend ourselves. We want the other person to understand our side of the story.

The problem is that defensiveness can quickly turn a conversation into a competition about who is right.

It might sound like:

“Well, you do it too.”
“That's not my fault.”
“I only did that because you...”
“You always blame me for everything.”

Notice what happens in these responses. Instead of staying with what your partner is trying to tell you, the conversation is turned back onto them.

Sometimes there really is more than one side to a situation. But there is a time for explaining your perspective and a time for simply listening and trying to understand.

Try this instead: Before explaining yourself, see if you can acknowledge something in what your partner has said.

“I can understand why that upset you. I didn't mean for it to come across that way.”

Taking some responsibility does not mean agreeing with everything your partner says. It means being willing to look honestly at your own part in the interaction.

4. Stonewalling

Stonewalling happens when one person withdraws from the interaction and stops responding. They may go silent, look away, leave the room, refuse to talk, or simply shut down emotionally.

Sometimes stonewalling is a deliberate refusal to engage. At other times, a person has become so overwhelmed that they genuinely cannot think clearly or continue the conversation.

This distinction is important. Taking a break from an escalating argument can actually be very healthy. The problem is when the break becomes a way of avoiding the issue altogether.

Try this instead: If you are becoming overwhelmed, say so. Let your partner know that you need some time to calm down and, importantly, agree to come back to the conversation.

“I'm getting too overwhelmed to have this conversation properly. I need some time to settle down. Can we come back to this after dinner?”

Taking a pause is very different from abandoning the conversation.

What can you do if you recognise the Four Horsemen in your relationship?

Don't panic. Most couples will recognise at least some of these behaviours in themselves, particularly when they are tired, stressed or caught in a familiar pattern of conflict.

The aim isn't to become a couple who never argues or never gets it wrong. The aim is to become better at noticing what is happening and repairing it.

One of the most useful things you can learn in a relationship is how to catch yourself when you are heading towards one of these patterns.

“Am I criticising?”
“Am I being disrespectful?”
“Am I becoming defensive?”
“Am I shutting down?”

And if you notice that you have slipped into one of the Four Horsemen, you can stop and try again.

That might mean changing a criticism into a complaint, replacing defensiveness with a little curiosity, taking a respectful time-out instead of stonewalling, or simply remembering to speak to your partner with kindness even when you are angry.

Good relationships aren't built by never getting things wrong. They are built by learning how to repair what happens when we do.


If you would like some support exploring your emotions, relationships or the challenges you are experiencing, counselling can provide a safe and supportive space to slow down, gain perspective and develop a deeper understanding of yourself.

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Mothering Your Partner: How to Stop and Thrive

Mothering Your Partner: When a Relationship Becomes a Parent–Child Dynamic

There is a difference between caring for your partner and mothering them. Caring, supporting and looking after each other are natural parts of a healthy relationship. There will be times when one partner needs more support than the other.

Mothering your partner is something different. It can happen when one partner gradually takes responsibility for the other person's life — reminding, organising, fixing, managing or taking over things that their partner could reasonably manage themselves.

Over time, this can create a parent-child dynamic rather than an adult-to-adult partnership. The partner doing the mothering can become exhausted and resentful, while the partner being mothered may become increasingly dependent or resistant to being told what to do.

What Does Mothering Your Partner Look Like?

Reminding and managing
You regularly remind your partner about appointments, jobs, bills, commitments or things they have said they will do.

Fixing their problems
You feel responsible for solving problems, making phone calls, smoothing things over or protecting your partner from difficulties.

Taking over
You find yourself doing things because it seems easier or quicker than waiting for your partner to do them. Eventually, they may simply expect you to take care of them.

Nagging and correcting
Repeated reminders can gradually turn into criticism, leaving you feeling like the responsible parent and your partner feeling like the child being told what to do.

Managing their emotions
You may also find yourself trying to keep your partner happy, calm them down, prevent their upset or take responsibility for how they feel.

How Does the Pattern Develop?

Often, neither person deliberately chooses this dynamic. One partner may naturally be more organised or responsible and gradually takes on more. The other becomes accustomed to relying on them.

The more one partner takes responsibility, the less the other may need to. And the less the other does, the more the first partner feels they have to step in.

This is sometimes described as overfunctioning and underfunctioning. It can become a cycle that leaves both people unhappy.

The overfunctioning partner may think, "If I don't do it, it won't get done."

The other partner may think, "Nothing I do is ever good enough."

What Happens to the Relationship?

Resentment
The partner carrying more responsibility may feel exhausted, unappreciated or taken for granted.

Dependence
When one person regularly takes care of things, the other can gradually become less confident or less inclined to take initiative.

Loss of equality
The relationship can begin to feel less like a partnership and more like one person managing while the other is being managed.

Loss of intimacy
It can be difficult to maintain romantic and sexual attraction when one partner increasingly feels like the other's carer, manager or parent.

What About the "Child" Partner?

The partner being mothered may not see themselves as a child. They may simply have become accustomed to their partner taking care of things.

Sometimes this looks like waiting to be reminded, avoiding responsibility, leaving decisions to the other person or becoming defensive when asked to do more.

There can be a frustrating contradiction: "Stop treating me like a child" while at the same time behaving in ways that leave the other partner feeling responsible for you.

Changing the dynamic involves both people. The mothering partner can look at what they are taking over, while the other partner can begin taking back responsibility for their own life.

Moving Back Towards Partnership

Notice the pattern
Who reminds? Who organises? Who fixes? Who waits for the other person to take care of things?

Ask yourself, "Is this mine to do?"
If you are constantly managing things that belong to another adult, stepping back can give them the opportunity to take responsibility.

Take back your own responsibilities
If you have become accustomed to your partner organising, reminding or managing things for you, consider what you could begin taking responsibility for yourself.

Talk rather than nag
Repeated reminders and criticism rarely create the kind of change either partner wants. Open conversations about responsibilities and expectations are more likely to move the relationship forward.

Allow room for difference
Your partner may not do things exactly as you would. A healthy partnership allows each person some autonomy rather than requiring them to do things the "right" way.

The Goal Is Partnership

A healthy relationship doesn't mean never needing your partner. We all need support, comfort and care from the people we love.

The difference is that healthy support doesn't require one person to become the parent and the other the child.

Moving away from mothering and being mothered creates more space for two adults to meet each other as equals — with their own strengths, responsibilities, needs and vulnerabilities.

True partnership means being able to care for each other without becoming responsible for each other.

Mothering your partner often begins with good intentions. You may be trying to help, protect or keep things running smoothly.

But love doesn't require us to manage another adult's life.

Sometimes stepping back, allowing your partner to take responsibility and making room for an adult-to-adult relationship can create the space for greater equality, respect and intimacy.


 

If you would like some support exploring your emotions, relationships or the challenges you are experiencing, counselling can provide a safe and supportive space to slow down, gain perspective and develop a deeper understanding of yourself.

Get In Touch →



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