Identity Work in Relationships • Relate Family Therapy & Counseling

Identity Work

Everyone holds various identities. These can range from age to race/ethnicity to sexual orientation and gender identity. Sometimes these identities fit and you can just roll right along with them. Other identities don't fit, or they are related to some kind of distress or difficulty. Stigma related to one or many of your identities can be traumatic and pervasive, which be directly related to other mental health issues and concerns. There are other times when it can be difficult to feel comfortable in any identity, which can be painful and confusing. It might feel like there are layers and layers of masks hiding the real you underneath, but you don't know how to get the masks off.

The therapists at Relate Family Therapy & Counseling can help you navigate identities and changes in them in the context of your relationship. This can be changes in, acknowledgment, or awareness of gender identity, sexual orientation that affects the relationship, as well as a desire to explore polyamory or have an open relationship. Having support can help you feel safe while you are vulnerable and are addressing these changes and desires. With validation and empathy a therapist can help you discover the identity of your authentic self.