06/18/2026
Using alcohol, food, work, or screens are some common types of coping mechanisms used to numb or avoid our most difficult feelings like anxiousness, sadness, fear, overwhelm, disappointment, loneliness, shame, etc.
It’s totally human and normal to try to find ways to cope because life is not easy! The problem with a lot of coping strategies we use is that it can create additional problems in our relationship such as the following:
- Difficulty being emotionally available to our partner due to our numbing behaviors
- Our partner feeling like they’re competing with our coping mechanism- preventing them to see our struggles behind the coping strategies – which continues to leave us alone
- Without us realizing it, we are disconnecting ourselves from our emotions and the possibility of getting the support we need from our partner (that we are probably not realizing we need, or can’t accept that we need)
Emotionally Focused Therapy is a great way to start to learn about new healthier coping strategies that will offer you better emotional regulation and creating emotional safety with your partner.
Here’s the link to book an appointment with one of our therapist when you are ready to take that first step:
https://www.betteryourself365.com/book-therapy-appointment/