Mental health
fromPsychology Today
1 day agoWhen Dependence Is Not the Problem
Dependence can reflect care and connection, but therapy may treat it as something to outgrow, reinforcing fear of abandonment.
When we think of healthy relationship skills, we tend to focus on the usual suspects: communication, conflict resolution, trust, and emotional intimacy. But there's one less-known, foundational skill that rarely gets talked about - one that often determines whether a relationship deepens over the years or slowly drifts. This is the ability to witness your partner's growth without fear. It sounds simple. But in long-term relationships, it can be one of the most emotionally complex experiences.