Starting Here
Maybe you keep ending up in the same kind of relationship. Maybe you struggle to trust, to set boundaries, or to feel secure even when things are going well.
Relationship therapy at NCA is individual work focused on the patterns you bring into every relationship—romantic, family, or friendship. If you're looking for sessions with your partner, visit our
page instead.
This Can Look Like
Relationship struggles can look like:
- Repeating the same painful patterns with different people
- Difficulty trusting others, or difficulty letting people get close
- Struggling to set or hold boundaries without guilt
- Feeling anxious, avoidant, or unsure of where you stand with someone
- Losing yourself in relationships, or over-functioning to keep the peace
- Conflict that feels bigger than the actual disagreement
How Therapy Can Help
Individual relationship therapy gives you space to work on the patterns underneath. We'll help you:
- Understand your attachment style and where it came from
- Recognize patterns before you're caught in them again
- Build the skills to set boundaries and communicate needs clearly
- Understand what you're bringing into relationships versus what belongs to someone else
- Feel more secure in yourself, independent of any one relationship
Our Approach
Most relationship patterns were learned long before the relationship you're in now. We help you trace those patterns back to where they started—often early attachment experiences—so you can respond differently going forward, not just in the relationship in front of you but in the ones still to come.
Therapeutic Approaches We May Use
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) — understanding attachment needs and patterns
- Internal Family Systems (IFS) — exploring the protective parts that show up in relationships
- Psychodynamic Therapy — connecting past experiences to present relational patterns
- Solution-Focused Therapy — building practical skills for communication and boundaries
- Mindfulness-Based Therapy — staying grounded during conflict instead of reacting
Who Might Benefit From Treatment
This kind of therapy may be a good fit if you're:
- Tired of repeating the same relationship pattern with new people
- Working on boundaries with family, friends, or a partner
- Newly out of a relationship and wanting to understand what happened
- Anxious, avoidant, or unsure how to feel secure with others
- Wanting to do your own work before or alongside couples counseling
What to Expect in Therapy
Your first session focuses on your relationship history—patterns you've noticed, what's brought you in now, and what you'd like to feel different.
From there, therapy becomes a space to notice patterns as they happen, understand where they started, and practice new ways of relating—to others and to yourself.
Sessions are available in person at our Midtown Nashville office or online for clients throughout Tennessee.
FAQ
Is this the same as couples counseling?
No. This is individual therapy focused on your own patterns, history, and needs in relationships. If you and a partner want to work on your relationship together, our
page is the right place to start.
What if I'm not currently in a relationship?
That's a common and valid reason to start. Many people use this time to understand their patterns, boundaries, and attachment style before entering a new relationship, rather than repeating old ones.
Ready to begin counseling?
You don't have to keep carrying this on your own. Reach out to Nashville Counseling Associates, and we'll help connect you with a therapist whose training and approach fit the relationship patterns you're ready to understand.
