Relationships and Relations Articles

Medically Reviewed By: Krista Klund, LCSW

Relationships and relations can be complicated, but here we’ll talk a little bit about how to form healthy relationships and the different attachment theories you should be aware of in your relations.

The basics of relations

Relationships, relations, and attraction are hard to understand. 

Romantic relationships

Romantic relationships are often portrayed in only one way in the media, but there are unlimited kinds of romantic relationships in reality. Many of our articles focus on healthy relationships, working through conflict, and strengthening your connection with your significant other. You can find articles about various types of relationship issues, as well as tips for dating someone who experiences mental health challenges.

Friendships

While romantic relationships play an important role in many peoples’ lives, friendships can be equally important. We have many articles that discuss the value of friendship and offer up advice on working through conflicts within friendships.

Family relationships

Aside from romantic relationships and friendships, our relationships with family members tend to have a notable impact on our lives, starting from childhood. If you’d like to learn more about family dynamics and healthy relationships between parents, children, and other family members, you may enjoy the articles we have related to these topics.

Attraction

There are multiple types of attraction, and it is not necessary to have all of them in order to enjoy a healthy relationship. Sexual attraction, romantic attraction, emotional attraction, intellectual attraction, aesthetic attraction, and sensual attraction can all play roles in friendships and romantic relationships. Some of the articles in this category dive into these types of attraction and explain more about them.

Relationship improvement

One of the themes in many of the articles in this category is relationship improvement.

You may be able to find helpful insight and new perspectives within some of our articles.

Unhealthy behaviors in relationships

It’s important to know what constitutes a healthy relationship, and it can be equally as vital to understand what types of behaviors are not healthy or even toxic. Not all relationships are healthy, and you can find many articles addressing potentially harmful behaviors in friendships, romantic relationships, and other types of relationships. Some of the harmful behaviors discussed include various kinds of manipulation, controlling behavior, codependency, and abuse.

If you or a loved one is experiencing any form of abuse, please know that you are not alone, and help is available. You can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).

Online therapy can improve your relationships

It’s likely that everyone will experience some type of relationship challenge throughout their lives. If you’re currently going through a difficult situation with a friend, partner, family member, or anyone else, you may feel that it’s hard to open up to others due to the fear of judgment or misunderstanding. This is where online therapy may be a valuable tool, as you can speak openly with a licensed and experienced therapist who has been trained to be unbiased, nonjudgmental, and understanding. 

This study discusses the expectations and results of couples who went through online couples therapy. Although many of the couples expressed initial feelings of doubt, they found that their online therapy experiences were effective and beneficial for their relationships. Although this particular study centers on online couples therapy, individual therapy can also be a valid and helpful option.