I work with clients who are single, in committed relationships, casually dating, separated, divorced and married. My clients are reporting relationship rest, relationship growth, relationship stagnation and relationship strain during this pandemic. Many single clients are thankful for the extra time to work on things in their individual lives or the relief from the pressures of dating. Other single clients are experiencing a deeper sense of loneliness and alone-ness than they felt prior to Covid-19. The social distancing has added a layer of isolation to singleness and many people are experiencing an uptick in their feelings of anxiety or depression. Some clients who have significant others are experiencing a sweetness to their relationships that they haven't experienced in quite some time. The physical distancing and stay-at-home orders of the Coronavirus have allowed for extra time together and less pressure to go and do; calendars are more clear and there's more time to focus on investing in their relationships. Other clients in committed relationships are experiencing an increase in conflict, disconnection and dissatisfaction in their relationships. Issues that may have been simmering deep are now boiling to the surface without the distractions or busyness of normal life. Some couples are significantly more strained and have less time than ever because kids are at home full time and there's an added responsibility of virtual homeschooling. Parents are taking on the new role of teacher and that is stressing not only the parent-child relationship but also the couple's relationship. Many married couples are reporting more dissatisfaction with their relationships. Increased time at home means, for some, they are more focused on what the relationship doesn't have or isn't giving them and they are feeling discouraged. We are all going through adjustment, stress and grief as a result of the Coronavirus. Relational strain on top of that can feel quite overwhelming. Increased conflict during a time like this is normal. Disconnection in relationships right now is understandable. Even though there's this sense that we have so much more time, the reality is that there's much less. Our brains are trying to understand and adapt to this new normal of the pandemic; that takes time away from our daily lives. We're having to do many things differently in our routines (or trying to create new routines) that we have less time to invest in relationships or are approaching those relationships with stress and difficulty. Individual counseling can help walk you through the struggles you're experiencing in your relationships. Telecounseling (also called Telehealth, Telemental Health, Distance Counseling, or Virtual Counseling) is a great way for individuals or couples to enrich or repair things in their relationships that have been brought up or highlighted during Covid-19. Couples therapy and marriage counseling are helpful tools to deal with conflict and strained communication in your relationship. It's easy to think, "I'll get to therapy when things get back to normal." What if normal is a long time off? What damage or unhealthy patterns might be created in the meantime? There's no better time than right now to start investing in yourself and intentionally working on your relationships. Individual counseling or couples therapy are great resources and support!