Healthy Relationships

​A relationship is a connection between two or more people based on emotional, social, or professional interactions. It can take various forms, including romantic, familial, platonic, and professional relationships. Healthy relationships are built on trust, communication, respect, and mutual support. They can provide emotional security, companionship, and personal growth but may also involve challenges that require effort and understanding to maintain.

​Controlling behaviour

• Becomes nasty and becomes personal disagreements

• Lies about things

• Twists your words

• Will never apologises or takes responsibility

• Dismisses your feelings

• Does not respect you

• Does not respect your boundaries

​Respectful behaviour

• Kind and Trusting

• Can disagree without getting personal

• Shows Empathy

• Is supportive

• Respects you

• Listens

• Is honest

• Understands you

• Understands consent

​Discussion

Emma and Jake have been together for a year, and while their relationship started strong, subtle issues have begun to emerge. Jake is generally supportive but occasionally makes comments about Emma’s friends, suggesting they don’t have her best interests at heart. At first, Emma dismisses it as concern, but over time, she realises he subtly discourages her from socialising without him. He doesn’t demand her phone password, but he frequently asks who she’s texting and becomes withdrawn if she doesn’t answer immediately. When Emma brings up these concerns, Jake insists she’s overreacting and that his behaviour comes from love, making her doubt her feelings. Despite their happy moments, Emma feels increasingly anxious about upsetting Jake and struggles to determine whether his actions are protective or controlling. She starts questioning if these are warning signs or just normal relationship challenges.

How could Emma approach this situation?