Identifying Healthy Relationships
Everyone deserves a healthy relationship. Each relationship is different, so it can be hard to tell when the line from healthy to unhealthy is crossed.
What are Healthy Relationships?
In a healthy relationship, both partners work together to establish a foundation of trust, honesty and good communication. This foundation allows both partners to feel supported in the relationship and the freedom to voice any concerns.
A healthy relationship has:
- Trust: Partners believe what the other has said without the need for anyone to “prove” themselves.
- Honesty: Partners are open, sincere and truthful with each other.
- Good Communication: Partners are able to talk openly about problems, while listening to each other. They also respect each other’s opinions, especially when they differ.
- Respect: Partners value each other for who they are, and do not try to change the other person. They also honor their partner’s emotional, physical, spiritual and digital boundaries.
- Equality: Partners make decisions together and each is held to the same standards in the relationship.
- Personal Time: Partners are able to spend time together, alone, or with others. There is a mutual understanding that everyone needs time for themselves.
- Self-Care: Partners take the time to care for their own needs, which helps them respond to their partner in a healthy and positive manner.
What are Unhealthy Relationships?
An abusive partner uses a pattern of behaviors to gain and maintain power and control. This control gives the abuser special privileges while taking away your choices, equality, and independence.
Abusive behaviors are intended to:
- Make you feel like you’re not in control of your life
- Cause you to do things you DON’T want to do
- Make you feel afraid or feel worthless
- Keep you from doing things you DO want to do