Relationship Issues: Loneliness, Healing, Starting Again
Difficulty creating or maintaining healthy relationships is one of the most common reasons individuals seek the help of a therapist. At Individual & Relationship Counseling Associates, our therapists have the training to help you foster healthy connections. Our relationship counseling for individuals in Reno offers a safe and supportive space to navigate challenges and grow in a way that helps you feel more confident and hopeful about relationship!
Common Goals of Treatment for Relationship Issues
Overcoming Loneliness
Gain support and strategies to manage feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Emotional Relief
Address the emotional overload that relationships can sometimes cause, finding ways to rejuvenate.
Building Trust
Learn how to trust again after past experiences have made you wary.
Healing from Trauma
Address past traumas that are impacting your current relationships.
Healthy Relationship Skills
Learn strategies for building and maintaining healthy relationships.
Conflict Resolution
Develop strategies for managing conflicts and fostering healthy compromises.
Help for Relationship Issues
Struggling with relationship issues can feel isolating and exhausting. Whether it's difficulty communicating, ongoing conflicts, or feeling disconnected from your partner, these struggles can deeply affect your well-being. At the bottom of this page we've referenced some of the effects of relationship difficulties.
Understanding Your Relationship Challenges
When relationship issues arise, they often bring up feelings of frustration, sadness, or even hopelessness. Through individual therapy, you can explore the roots of these challenges—whether they're connected to past experiences, current relationship dynamics, or unmet needs. By addressing these underlying factors, we can help you create healthier and more fulfilling interactions. Our individual therapy for relationship issues focuses on understanding and improving the patterns that are keeping you stuck.
Learn more here about the individual therapy we do.
Improving Communication and Connection
One of the most common struggles in relationships is communication breakdown. Therapy helps you develop skills to express yourself more effectively and to listen with empathy. By enhancing your ability to communicate, you can create a stronger connection with your partner and reduce misunderstandings.
Healing Through Self-Awareness
Sometimes, relationship challenges are linked to patterns we may not be fully aware of. Individual therapy helps you recognize these patterns and understand how they impact your interactions. With increased self-awareness, you can make intentional changes that lead to more positive and supportive relationships.
Gaining Tools for Conflict Resolution
Conflict is a natural part of relationships, but it doesn't have to be destructive. In therapy, you'll learn constructive ways to manage and resolve conflicts. These tools can help you turn arguments into opportunities for growth and deepen your emotional bond with your partner. Your goal may be to have more peaceful relationship with non-romantic partners as well: we can help.
Strengthening Relationships by Working on Yourself
By working on your own emotional well-being, you positively influence your relationship. Individual therapy can empower you to show up differently in your interactions, fostering a healthier environment for both you and your partner. Often, the changes one person makes can inspire growth in the other, leading to more meaningful and connected relationships.
Ready to Address Your Relationship Issues?
If you're facing relationship difficulties, you don't have to navigate them alone. Individual therapy offers a supportive space to work through the obstacles in your relationships, helping you to build healthier and more satisfying connections.
You can schedule a free consultation with one of our therapists here. The will help you determine the best course forward. You can also call us at 775-235-2205.
Meet Our Team: Highly qualified, non-judgmental and compassionate therapists. Warm and responsive office staff.
Cornelius Sheehan, LCSW
Counseling with Reno Therapist Cornelius Sheehan, LCSW
About me as a therapist:
For more than 20 years, I have worked with couples and individuals. I understand how important it is to have a secure, connected, and hopeful relationship. I specialize in attachment-based, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for marriages, couples, families, and individuals in Reno. Presently, I am certified as an Emotionally Focused Therapist and Supervisor. I use primarily EFT in my work with couples, individuals, and families. The primary things I appreciate about EFT are its effectiveness, research-based approach, and strong theoretical foundation.
A few years ago, I started Individual & Relationship Counseling Associates in Reno, NV. A small, collaborative therapy group dedicated to excellence in attachment-focused therapy.
I have had the privilege of helping hundreds of couples and families repair ruptures and connect again. Along the way, helping many people become more self-aware and accepting. I’ve supported them in dealing with depression, anxiety, and relationship problems.
Attachment theory’s empathy, curiosity, and non-judgmental stance align with my natural style. Although I bring expertise in therapy, you are the expert on your life and goals. Thus, I commit to approaching our work together with humility and curiosity.
One of my proudest achievements is starting a counseling program for inmates at the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office in 2004. We developed a novel and highly successful program to help reduce recidivism, especially for “failure to comply” violations. The program was funded by inmate purchases. I actively participated in these programs until 2011, when I dedicated myself full-time to private practice.
Another accomplishment that has brought me a lot of joy has been mentoring students and interns, guiding them to find their unique paths as professionals in the field of therapy.
About me as a person:
I always remember being profoundly curious about people and relationships. We are all so complex, with so much happening beneath the surface.
I find this complexity fascinating. I feel lucky that my interest has guided me to a profession I love. Moreover, it motivates me to stay current with changes in the field.
My wife Tammy and I live with our three rescue dogs. We have three adult children. Born in San Francisco, I have lived briefly in a few different places, but Reno has always remained home base.
For years, I’ve had “boots on the ground” involvement with many facets of the mental health care needs of our community. This has provided me a rounded perspective about the particular relationship counseling needs of people in our local community.
Learn more about therapy in Reno with Cornelius
You can inquire about counseling in Reno with Cornelius Sheehan, LCSW and our team of highly-trained EFT therapists here. Call us at 775-235-2205 and we’ll be happy to discuss how we can help. Sessions with Cornelius range from $185 to $210 for 55-min and $275 for 90-minutes. Insurances accepted include Hometown Health Plan. Two-day weekend intensive sessions are available (call for details).
Cornelius is invested in Reno and Nevada:
Since 1974, I have resided in Reno, deeply committed to this community. I attended Reno High School and UNR. I actively participate in various advisory roles for Reno and the State of Nevada.
Additionally, I founded Relationship Health Counseling Associates to enhance services for clients in this area and provide highest quality professional development for therapist interns in Reno.
Cornelius specializes in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT for couples, individuals and families). He supervisors clinical interns and candidates for EFT Certification. He is the Founder / Director of rceft.org, the Reno/Tahoe Community for Emotionally Focused Therapy. You can learn more about EFT at rceft.org and iceeft.com. ICEEFT is the International Center for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy.
Nevada License Number: 5605-C
Cornelius works with clients aged 18-years and older, and children in the context of family therapy.
Cornelius’s Specialties and Expertise
Top Specialties
- Relationship Issues
- Anxiety
- Depression
Expertise
- Certified Emotionally Focused Therapist
- Divorce
- Family Conflict
- Marital and Premarital
- Cancer
- Grief
- Infidelity
- Internet Addiction
- Lesbian
- Men’s Issues
- Mood Disorders
- Parenting
- Peer Relationships
- Self Esteem
- Veterans
Some Consequences of Ongoing Relationship Issues
- Mental Health Challenges: Relationship issues are closely linked to mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and stress. Strained relationships can lead to a sense of hopelessness, emotional exhaustion, and feelings of loneliness, which increase susceptibility to mental health conditions.
- Source: Whisman, M. A. (2007). Marital distress and DSM-IV psychiatric disorders in a population-based national survey. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 116(3), 638-643. doi: 10.1037/0021-843X.116.3.638
- Physical Health Problems: Poor relationship quality has also been associated with physical health problems, including increased risk of cardiovascular disease, weakened immune function, and sleep disturbances. Chronic stress from relationship conflicts can contribute to these physical health challenges.
- Source: Robles, T. F., & Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K. (2003). The physiology of marriage: Pathways to health. Physiology & Behavior, 79(3), 409-416. doi: 10.1016/S0031-9384(03)00160-4
- Attachment Insecurity: Relationship issues often reinforce or exacerbate insecure attachment styles. Individuals with unresolved relationship problems may experience heightened attachment anxiety or avoidance, which can affect their ability to form healthy future relationships.
- Source: Mikulincer, M., & Shaver, P. R. (2016). Attachment in adulthood: Structure, dynamics, and change. The Guilford Press.
- Lower Life Satisfaction: Relationship dissatisfaction is a significant predictor of lower overall life satisfaction. When core relationships are in distress, individuals often report a diminished sense of purpose, satisfaction, and well-being.
- Source: Diener, E., & Seligman, M. E. (2002). Very happy people. Psychological Science, 13(1), 81-84. doi: 10.1111/1467-9280.00415
- Social Isolation: Chronic relationship issues can lead individuals to withdraw from social connections. As a result, social isolation and loneliness are common outcomes of unresolved relationship problems, which can further worsen mental health and well-being.
- Source: Hawkley, L. C., & Cacioppo, J. T. (2010). Loneliness matters: A theoretical and empirical review of consequences and mechanisms. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 40(2), 218-227. doi: 10.1007/s12160-010-9210-8
Get Started with Help for Relationship Issues
Contact us to schedule an appointment or free consultation