Relationships

Relationships can bring us some of life’s greatest joys—and also some of our deepest struggles. Whether you’re navigating challenges with your partner, feeling stuck in patterns that keep repeating with friends or family, or wanting to build more meaningful connections in your life, you don’t have to figure it out alone. At Stone Counseling in The Woodlands, I work with individuals who want to create healthier, more fulfilling relationships.

Maybe you’ve noticed the same conflicts arising again and again. Perhaps you struggle to express what you really need, or you find yourself withdrawing when things get difficult. You might be wondering whether your relationship can change, or how to build the confidence to form new connections. Whatever brings you here, there is hope—and healing happens through connection, starting with the one we’ll build together.

Understanding Relationship Challenges

Our relationships don’t exist in a vacuum. They’re deeply shaped by everything we’ve experienced—the family dynamics we grew up with, past hurts we’ve carried, the ways we learned to express (or hide) our feelings, and the beliefs we developed about ourselves and others. Research shows that our early attachment experiences significantly influence how we relate to others throughout our lives. When we understand these patterns, we can begin to change them.

You might notice certain themes showing up across different relationships. Maybe you have trouble trusting others, or you find yourself giving too much and losing yourself in the process. Perhaps conflict feels terrifying, so you avoid it—but then resentment builds. Or maybe you desperately want deeper connections but anxiety holds you back from really letting people in.

These patterns often made sense at one point—ways of protecting yourself or getting your needs met when your options were limited. The challenge is that what once protected you might now be getting in the way of the closeness you long for. Therapy can help by bringing compassionate awareness to these patterns and creating space for something new to emerge.

The Relationship Challenges I Help With

I work with people facing a wide range of relationship concerns. While I don’t offer couples therapy, I do help individuals work on any relationship that matters to them—whether that’s with a romantic partner, family members, friends, or colleagues. You don’t need the other person to be in the room for meaningful change to happen.

Romantic Relationship Difficulties

Maybe you and your partner keep having the same argument, or you’ve hit a painful distance where you’re living parallel lives. Perhaps trust has been broken, or old wounds keep surfacing. You might be questioning whether the relationship can work, or you know you want to stay but need to figure out how to make things different. In our work together, we can explore what’s really happening beneath the surface conflicts, help you clarify what you need, and develop healthier ways of communicating and connecting.

Family Dynamics and Patterns

Family relationships can be some of the most complicated. There might be old hurts that were never addressed, roles you’ve been stuck in since childhood, or communication patterns that leave everyone frustrated. Maybe you’re dealing with a difficult parent, trying to set boundaries with siblings, or navigating the complexities of blended families. Sometimes the healthiest thing is to work on these relationships individually first, gaining clarity about what you want and need before attempting direct conversations.

Friendship and Social Connection

Many people struggle with friendships but feel they shouldn’t—like it should be easier. Maybe you want more friends but don’t know how to make that happen. Perhaps you have plenty of acquaintances but long for deeper connections. Social anxiety might make reaching out feel overwhelming, or past friendship betrayals might have you keeping people at arm’s length. You might also be realizing that some friendships have become one-sided or unhealthy, and you’re not sure how to address that.

Workplace Relationships

When relationships at work are strained, it affects everything. Conflicts with colleagues, difficulties with authority figures, or feeling isolated from your team can make each workday feel exhausting. Sometimes workplace dynamics trigger deeper patterns related to how you see yourself or handle conflict. We can work on navigating these professional relationships while maintaining healthy boundaries.

Repeating Patterns Across Relationships

One of the most frustrating experiences is noticing the same dynamics playing out in relationship after relationship. Maybe you keep attracting partners who aren’t emotionally available, or you find yourself in the caretaker role over and over. Perhaps you repeatedly feel abandoned or misunderstood, no matter how much you try to prevent it. These patterns often have deep roots, and understanding where they came from is the first step toward breaking free from them.

How Relationship Therapy Works

Working on relationships in individual therapy might seem counterintuitive at first, but it’s often a very effective approach—especially when the other person isn’t available or willing to work on things with you, or when you need to gain clarity before attempting direct conversations. Individual therapy can significantly improve relationship satisfaction by helping people develop better communication skills, emotional regulation, and self-awareness.

In our sessions, we’ll explore what’s really happening in your relationships. This isn’t about blaming you or anyone else—it’s about understanding the dynamics at play and your role in them. We’ll look at your patterns with curiosity and compassion, examining how your past experiences might be influencing your present relationships. This deeper understanding naturally leads to new possibilities.

Together, we’ll work on developing the skills that support healthy relationships: expressing your needs clearly, setting appropriate boundaries, managing difficult emotions, and responding to conflict in ways that bring you closer rather than pushing people away. You’ll learn to recognize when old patterns are getting activated and develop new responses that serve you better.

The therapeutic relationship itself becomes a powerful place for healing. In the safety of our connection, you can explore vulnerable feelings, try out new ways of relating, and experience being truly seen and understood. This experience often begins to shift how you show up in other relationships, too.

A Trauma-Informed Approach

For many people, relationship difficulties are connected to past trauma—whether that’s childhood experiences, past relationship betrayals, or other painful events. Trauma can deeply affect how we relate to others, often triggering protective responses that made sense when we were in danger but now interfere with healthy connection. I bring a trauma-informed perspective to our work, which means we’ll always move at your pace, honor your feelings and experiences, and focus on building safety before diving into difficult material.

If trauma is part of your story, we might incorporate EMDR therapy or other trauma-focused approaches to help heal those underlying wounds. As you process past hurts, you often find that present relationships naturally begin to shift and improve.

What to Expect in Therapy

Starting therapy takes courage, especially when relationships have been painful. In our first session, we’ll talk about what brings you in—the relationship challenges you’re facing and what you’re hoping will be different. I’ll want to understand not just the current situation, but also how you’ve experienced relationships throughout your life. This gives us both a clearer picture of the patterns we’re working with.

There’s no pressure to have everything figured out or to know exactly what you want. Sometimes people come in saying, “I just know something needs to change.” That’s enough to get started. As we work together, clarity will emerge.

Our sessions become a space where you can be completely honest—about your struggles, your confusion, your hopes, and your fears. You might explore feelings you’ve never put into words before. We’ll look at specific relationship situations you’re dealing with, but we’ll also pay attention to the deeper themes and patterns beneath them.

Some weeks we might focus on practical skills—how to have a difficult conversation, ways to set a boundary, or strategies for managing anxiety in social situations. Other weeks might be more exploratory, connecting present challenges to past experiences or uncovering beliefs about yourself and relationships that you didn’t realize you were carrying.

Healing isn’t always linear. Some sessions might feel like breakthroughs, while others might feel like you’re just sitting with hard feelings. Both are valuable. Relationship patterns took years to develop, and changing them takes time, patience, and self-compassion. I’ll be with you through all of it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can individual therapy really help my relationship if the other person isn’t involved?

Yes. When one person in a relationship makes changes—whether in communication patterns, emotional responses, or behaviors—it often affects the entire relationship dynamic. As you gain insight into your patterns and develop new skills, you naturally show up differently in your relationships. Sometimes this invites the other person to respond differently too. And even when the other person doesn’t change, you’re more equipped to decide what you need and want, communicate more effectively, and take care of yourself within the relationship.

Individual therapy also gives you the space to explore your feelings and options without worrying about how the other person might react. You can be completely honest about your struggles, fears, and desires. This clarity is invaluable, whether you ultimately work things out directly with the other person or not.

How do I know if I should try to work things out or end the relationship?

This is one of the most difficult questions people face, and there’s rarely a simple answer. In therapy, we won’t rush to that decision. Instead, we’ll explore what’s really happening in the relationship, what it’s giving you and costing you, and what you truly need and want. As you gain clarity about your values, patterns, and non-negotiables, the path forward often becomes clearer. I won’t tell you what to do—this is your life and your decision—but I’ll support you in discovering what feels right for you.

What if I’m just bad at relationships?

You’re not bad at relationships—but you might have learned patterns that aren’t serving you well. We all learn how to relate to others from our earliest experiences, and if those experiences weren’t healthy, the lessons we learned might create difficulties now. The good news is that these patterns can change. With awareness, support, and practice, you can develop the relational skills that support the connections you want. Many people who once felt hopeless about relationships have gone on to build deeply fulfilling connections.

How long does relationship therapy take?

The timeline varies depending on your goals and what you’re working on. Some people find that a few months of focused work gives them the tools and insights they need. Others, especially those dealing with deeper attachment wounds or trauma, might benefit from longer-term therapy. We’ll check in regularly about your progress and what feels most helpful. This is a collaborative process, and you’re always in the driver’s seat about how long you want to continue.

What if I’m anxious about forming new relationships?

Social anxiety and fears around connection are incredibly common, and therapy can be a helpful place to address them. We can work on understanding where the anxiety comes from, developing strategies to manage it, and gradually building your confidence in social situations. The therapeutic relationship itself provides a safe place to practice—sharing vulnerably, setting boundaries, and experiencing consistent, caring connection. Many people find that as they heal in therapy, reaching out to others becomes less frightening.

Your Relationships Can Change

The patterns that have been causing pain don’t have to continue. Whether you’re struggling in a current relationship, wanting to heal from past hurts, or hoping to build more fulfilling connections, therapy can help. I offer a warm, non-judgmental space where you can explore what’s really happening and discover new ways of relating—to others and to yourself.

Begin Your Journey Toward Healthier Relationships

You don’t have to keep repeating the same painful patterns. You don’t have to navigate relationship struggles alone. Whether you’re dealing with conflict in a current relationship, healing from past hurts, or wanting to develop deeper connections, there’s hope—and there is help.

The first step is often the hardest, but it’s also the most important. When you’re ready, reach out. We’ll start by talking about what you’re experiencing and what you’re hoping for. There’s no pressure, no judgment—just a warm, safe space to explore what’s possible.

Call or text: (832)381-8532

Email: sabrina@stonecounseling.com

Location: 25511 Budde Road, Suite 2802, The Woodlands, TX 77380

Serving The Woodlands, Spring, Conroe, Tomball, and surrounding Montgomery and Harris County communities.

References

1. Bowlby, J. (1988). A Secure Base: Parent-Child Attachment and Healthy Human Development. Basic Books.
2. Snyder, D. K., Castellani, A. M., & Whisman, M. A. (2006). Current status and future directions in couple therapy. Annual Review of Psychology, 57, 317–344.
3. Jacobson, N. S., & Addis, M. E. (1993). Research on couples and couple therapy: What do we know? Where are we going? Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 61(1), 85–93.
4. Johnson, S. M. (2019). Attachment Theory in Practice: Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) with Individuals, Couples, and Families. The Guilford Press.
5. Mikulincer, M., & Shaver, P. R. (2016). Attachment in Adulthood: Structure, Dynamics, and Change (2nd ed.). The Guilford Press.