Communication issues are common in any social relationship. They can potentially develop between couples, family members, friends, or even colleagues in the workplace. A lack of effective communication can cause misunderstandings or misinterpretations that can lead to arguments or tension. When disagreements are not properly handled, they can give rise to conflicts that may wreck even the most reliable relationship.

Some people want to tackle conflicts head on and share all their feelings, while others prefer to keep the experience or feelings within themselves. It doesn’t mean you totally agree with your partner or friend, but it may be your way of showing respect for them. Unfortunately, when issues are not discerned and talked about between the parties involved, they not only breed misunderstandings, but also gather cobwebs of negative thoughts and feelings over time. The post “Suppressing Our Emotions Harms Physical and Mental Health” discusses how emotional suppression can be harmful to both the body and mind.

Talking about what troubles you can help you explore possibilities for how to resolve it. Talking strengthens relationship ties and promotes good emotional health.

Talking about Your Inner Thoughts and Feelings

When you’re going through a sad or upsetting experience, such as a divorce, losing a job, an illness, or an emotional condition, it can be helpful to talk about your concerns with supportive people who can help you feel better. Voicing your worries and letting out what’s weighing you down can be very healing. Knowing there are people who care to listen can be very comforting in itself.

While the support of friends and family is valuable in these times, they may not be able to provide the help you need. You may need extra support, a nonpartisan perspective, or expert guidance in clearing the emotional cobwebs that disrupt your functioning. If so, you may benefit from talking to a therapist or counselor, who can help you get to the root of your problems, overcome the challenges that slow you down, and make significant changes in your life. Counseling works for many people seeking help for various issues.

How Talking Therapy Works

Talking therapy involves seeking help from a professional who has experience and training in listening to people with distressing thoughts, feelings, and behavior. The therapist or counselor offers a safe and caring environment where you can cry, talk, shout, or be angry and use the session as an opportunity to let out all the emotions stored within you. Talking therapy allows you to explore your core thoughts and feelings, and the effects on your behavior and mood. They can help in identifying where your negative feelings and ideas originate.

Whether you refer to them as talking treatment, psychotherapy, or counseling, this method helps troubled people understand the reasons for their difficulties and change their patterns of thinking and behavior. You can go individually, with your spouse or family, or to group sessions, and take a closer look at your problems from an entirely different angle with the expert help of someone who listens, respects you and your opinions, helps you find the answers, and does not judge you. Different types of talking therapy is available, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectic behavior therapy (DBT), psychodynamic therapy, humanistic therapy, etc.

A lot of jargon used by mental health professionals to discuss treatment and approaches may confuse you. What is important is to find the right therapist who will listen to every word you say.

Talking It Out in Therapy

Good communication is the foundation of all working relationships. Unfortunately, not everyone has the skill to effectively communicate in a relationship or in other settings. If there are experiences or topics that are painful or uncomfortable for you to discuss, consider getting the support of a talk therapist. A trained counselor can help you work through these difficulties that bog down your communication patterns.

Carolina Counseling Services — Pinehurst, NC, takes pride in contracting independently with trained and licensed therapists, who are ready to listen as you speak in confidence about issues you previously were unable to bring out in the open. With help from the right-fit therapist at CCS — Pinehurst, NC, you will finally feel heard and understood. Call now to request an appointment.