How we interact and connect with family members, partners, and friends can significantly affect our overall well-being, both positively and negatively. Issues and conflicts exist in every relationship, but if left to escalate, they can cause mental health concerns like anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation. It’s important to recognize if these issues are impacting your mental health so you can seek help.
Family and relationship counseling with a mental health professional can help provide tools to manage what you are experiencing and address how to improve communication as well as the overall dynamics of the relationship. Unfortunately, there are barriers that may prevent couples and families from accessing the help they need.
“Many of the barriers that exist for people seeking relationship counseling are similar to those requesting individual counseling, such as cost, social stigma, and underrepresentation in certain communities,” explained PBC Clinical Director Sherri Bloom. “However, the most common obstacle we see, especially for unmarried couples, is lack of insurance coverage. Insurance companies often don’t provide relationship counseling for those that are not legally married.”
Pro Bono Counseling is here to help connect all Marylanders with mental health resources, including those who are interested in relationship therapy.
A few months ago, a man in his 30’s and a woman in her 20’s contacted PBC looking for relationship counseling to build better conflict resolution skills and more effective communication skills. They requested a clinician who could provide LGBTQ affirming care during their sessions, and the PBC clinical team matched them with a therapist who fit their needs.
After they had been attending therapy for a few weeks, a PBC team member followed up to evaluate their experience with both PBC and their therapist.
“I am glad you all exist,” one partner stated. They continued, “I have never connected with a clinician more than the one you all connected me with.”
If you’d like to request individual, family, or relationship counseling services, call PBC at 410.825.1001, weekdays between 8AM – 4PM.
