Healthy Relationships

"What is a healthy relationship and what does it look like?"

This is a question we can often struggle with - especially if we grew up with turbulent, unhealthy or non-existent relationships around us. However, growing up in an unhealthy environment does not mean that you are 'destined' to repeat the same behaviour with your relationships (romantic, family, friends, etc). 

It is always a good time to learn what a healthy relationship is - how to have them and how to recognise them. 

You may also wish to see: 

What is a Healthy Relationship?

A healthy relationship is one where you are respected and feel valued for who you are. It’s where you can openly share your thoughts and feelings and feel supported and encouraged. 

It doesn't mean both people have to be perfectly behaved or that they cannot express any negative emotions. It does mean that the relationship a place where both parties feel valued, respected and safe.

Healthy relationships include:

Source: ‘How do I stop losing my identity in a relationship?’ - article by Dr Angharad Rudkin, clinical psychologist. NSPCC Learning

Relate - UK Charity for Relationships

Relate are the UK's largest provider of relationship support, and last year they helped over two million people of all ages, backgrounds, sexual orientations and gender identities to strengthen their relationships. 

This includes:

Website: https://www.relate.org.uk/ 

15 Signs You Have Toxic Parents

'The term “toxic parent” is a bit nebulous and we probably all define it differently. Often, narcissistic or those with other personality disorders or mental illnesses, abusive, emotionally immature, and alcoholic or addicted parents are labelled as toxic.

Young children, even those with toxic parents, assume that their parents are typical. Without any basis for comparison, you think other families operate by the same dysfunctional rules and that everyone’s parents are cruel, unavailable, or controlling. Eventually, however, you realize that emotionally healthy parents show genuine concern for their children’s feelings, encourage them to follow their dreams, apologize when they screw up, and talk about problems in a respectful way. You realize that your parents are different.

Toxic parents cause a lot of pain and lasting psychological problems for their children. The good news is that it’s possible to overcome the effects of toxic parents. The first step is to be aware of what it really means to have a toxic parent and recognize the particular ways that your parents are dysfunctional or emotionally unhealthy.'