Group 341

Relationship Issues

Black women are often taught to prioritize others usually at the expense of themselves. This typically starts in the family, where we learn to care for our siblings and even parents at times. This continues into other relationships with friends and romantic partners. We are usually rewarded for this and described as good daughters, good sisters, good friends and good partners. While caring for others is important, no one teaches black women how to care for themselves. This leads to self-neglect, difficulty with trust, hyper-independence, guilt and porous boundaries in relationships. Relationships that are one-sided with one individual performing most of the work lead to unfulfillment, stress and anxiety. Individual relationship counseling involves identifying unhealthy relationship beliefs and unhealthy relationship patterns. Together, we will learn how to be vulnerable, develop trust, allow others to take care of us and implement healthy boundaries.