Online Therapy
Relationship Therapy: Support for Nontraditional Relationships
Does this sound like you?
You want to tell your partner(s) how you feel, but you’re not sure how. You’ve struggled in your previous relationships, and you notice those same patterns coming up again. You want to have happier, healthier relationships, but nothing seems to be working.
We get it-relationships can be difficult. There’s no formula for building the perfect relationship, especially if yours is nontraditional. However, reflecting on your ingrained patterns of behavior and communication can help you make stronger connections with others.
No matter what kind of relationship issue you’re going through, therapy can help. Individual therapy for relationship issues empowers your personal growth so that you can build meaningful relationships with anyone in your life: dating partners, family members, friends, and even yourself.
We specialize in supporting folks in Orlando and the entire state of Florida with the following types of romantic relationships:
- Monogamous couples
- Ethically non-monogamous couples
- Polyamorous relationships
- Open relationships
Aligned Self is an LGBTQIA+ affirmative practice that welcomes individuals of all gender identities, sexual orientations, and relationship styles. We are a trans-competent, kink-aware, sex-positive, and sex-worker-friendly virtual therapy practice and provide a safe, supportive space for Black, Indigenous, & People of Color.
Our approach to relationship counseling
Many people assume that all relationship issues must be addressed in marriage counseling or couples therapy. However, you might feel unsure where to get help if you’re not married or if you’re in a relationship with a nontraditional structure.
While couples counseling can be helpful for some people, our practice focuses on you as an individual. We believe that turning inward and learning more about your patterns and beliefs can help you grow your self-awareness and self-acceptance. From here, you’ll be better equipped to build a solid foundation in your relationships.
Each person is different, which means that each relationship is different. We’ll work with you to create a customized treatment plan that directly addresses your needs, preferences, values, and goals.
We prioritize building intentional, authentic relationships with each of our clients so we can get a true sense of who you are. Our counseling services are designed to be affirming and inclusive, and we want to help you tap into the strengths that you already possess.
The decision to seek professional help is challenging and vulnerable, so we want to commend you for getting to this point. You can read more about our practice here if you’d like more information.
If you’re ready to take the next step, we encourage you to contact us for a complimentary consultation. This will help us get to know each other better and make sure you find the right counselor for you.
Who relationship therapy is for
We focus on individuals, not couples. Our practice serves people in any kind of relationship structure, though we have a few specialties. If none of the following descriptions resonate with you, we still encourage you to reach out if you’re interested in therapy.
People in monogamous relationships looking to explore boundaries
Some couples stay monogamous throughout their entire relationship. However, others may reach a point where monogamy no longer meets their needs. This is more than okay, as long as both parties have open communication and understanding.
Navigating this new stage of your relationship can be both exciting and daunting. Individual relationship therapy in Orlando can give you the space you need to process your emotions around the change and help you gain clarity on what you truly want. Counseling can also give you new communication skills to have those challenging conversations with your partner.
Ethical non-monogamy
As you may know, ethical non-monogamy (or consensual non-monogamy) is an umbrella term for any type of romantic relationship in which partners agree to connect with others outside the relationship.
Since this looks different for each relationship, we want to hear about your experience. As with any kind of relationship, honesty and communication are necessary to have strong, healthy non-monogamous relationships. Therapy can help you build those skills and bring them into your relationships, no matter the structure.
Polyamorous relationships
Though there is no singular definition of polyamory, it’s generally seen as a type of ethical non-monogamy that involves romantic relationships with more than one person. Like any form of ethical non-monogamy, each polyamorous relationship is different.
Polyamorous relationships have their own unique challenges when compared with traditional, monogamous relationships. However, difficulties with communication, conflict resolution, and intimacy can be present in any relationship. In therapy, you’ll learn skills to manage these issues, whether you have multiple partners or just one.
How we can help
Orlando relationship counseling can help with nearly any kind of relationship issue. You don’t need to be at your breaking point in order to get help. In fact, therapy can be useful whether you’re really struggling or simply want a little extra support.
Here are some examples of the kinds of issues our relationship counselors can help with:
- Learn new communication skills
- Improve conflict resolution
- Boost low self esteem
- Explore boundaries in your relationship
- Address intimacy issues
- Unpack negative thoughts
- Process challenging feelings about your relationship
- Increase self-acceptance
- Feel more deeply connected to your partner(s)
Struggling with something else? This isn’t an all-inclusive list, so we encourage you to reach out if you’re experiencing a relationship issue that’s not listed here. Chances are, we can help.
FAQ
FAQs about working with a relationship counselor
Whether you’re new to relationship counseling or have been in therapy before, it’s normal to have questions. Here, we’ve addressed some of the most common questions we receive. However, if you have more questions, we encourage you to contact us directly.
There are many different kinds of services designed to help people navigate relationships. All can be beneficial in their own way, so it’s important to find what works best for you.
As the name suggests, couples counseling is typically geared toward traditional couples. However, our couples therapists specialize in nontraditional relationships.
All partner(s) attend sessions in this kind of therapy. Our couples therapist will facilitate a conversation that involves both/all of you, and you’ll process the issues together in real time.
The kind of relationship therapy we offer is focused on individual mental health. We believe that unpacking your own patterns and beliefs can help you show up differently in your relationships with others, allowing you to build stronger connections.
Life coaching is different from couples counseling or individual therapy. Coaches don’t have the same education and training requirements that therapists do. Each coach has their own credentials and approach, so it’s best to check with each individual coach for more information.
While there are many types of therapists, all have similar requirements. For example, most therapists have a graduate degree and need to complete thousands of supervised practice hours to become a licensed psychotherapist.
A marriage and family therapist typically has a degree in family therapy or marriage counseling. While marriage and family therapists often provide couples therapy, they can also provide individual therapy.
An individual therapist may be a licensed mental health counselor, licensed clinical social worker, or even art therapist. These professionals provide marriage counseling as well. If you are looking for couples therapy for your relationship, we offer couples therapy as well.
Yes! Our practice is entirely virtual. While we are based in Orlando, we serve folks throughout Central Orlando, including those located in Winter Park, Winter Garden, and Lake Nona. We can also work with people throughout the entire state of Florida, as well as New York.
While Aligned Self does not accept insurance, you can check with your insurance provider or the Mentaya app on our contact page to check if you are covered under your out-of-network benefits. We can also provide a superbill that you can submit for reimbursement.
Deepen your connections with the help of our relationship counselors
Relationships can be challenging, but they’re also a source of joy, connection, and fulfillment. Working with an Orlando relationship counselor can help you overcome barriers that prevent you from having the connections you want-and deserve. Reach out today to get started.
OTHER THERAPY SERVICES OFFERED WITH ALIGNED SELF
Our team of caring therapists is happy to offer a variety of mental health services. We offer online therapy in FL, MI, TX and NY.
You can start your therapy journey alongside a trained relationship therapist. Or, you can learn more about our other services, including anxiety therapy, couples counseling, grief counseling, therapy for entrepreneurs, therapy for Black and Indigenous People of Color, and LGBTQIA+ Affirmative therapy.
We would be honored to support you in learning new coping methods empowering you to manage future relationship issues. You can also read more by visiting our blog, FAQ, and our about page.
How Can We Help?
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