Joanna Groves

Psychotherapist . Supervision . Coaching . Training

Tel: 07538 041967
  • Therapy & Counselling
  • Relationful
  • Couples
    • Getting The Love You Want Couples Workshop
  • Young People
    • Exam stress workshop
  • About Me
    • FAQ’s
  • Contact me

Love vs. Lust: Are Sex and Love the Same Thing?

February 5, 2018 By Joanna Groves Leave a Comment

Do you believe in love at first sight? Here’s some insights into the differences between love and lust to better answer that question.

Source: Love vs. Lust: Are Sex and Love the Same Thing?

As Valentine’s Day approaches this might be a good time to delve deeper in to the long pondered questions of love and lust…

When working with couples at my practice in Cheadle and Wilmslow, Cheshire, I’m always interested in how these two people sitting in front of me met and what the beginning of the relationship was like. What was the attraction to the other? What were the hopes and dreams for each in those first weeks? What was shared and what was hoped for? How soon did the relationship become sexual? When did disillusionment first creep in?

How we meet plays a huge part in how we argue and/or get stuck later in relationship. It’s usual to get stuck and that happens in every relationship, this isn’t a good indicator of whether you’ve chosen the right partner. Although for many, arguing and feeling trapped in never ending patterns does indeed signal the end of the relationship and one or both partners move on to a new love to try again. Again. And again.

What is a useful indicator is to think of the differences between lust and love, which this article describes well.

With lust, once the sexual desire wanes…and let’s face it that can be a fair distance in to the relationship…you can drift for a while before realising that you’re not in love with the person you’re sharing a bed with. The trouble is, high on lust and sex you’ve usually made lots of promises and commitments of love to one another, which confuses things further.

Whereas love is still around when lust inevitably dissipates. Relationships are hard work. As unromantic as that may sound, a conscious loving relationship involves two individuals who are interested in the world of the other. Love is a commitment to yourself, the other, and the relationship.

Love can bring with it a deep sense of wellbeing. This article describes a shift from me-thinking to we-thinking. I’d go a step further and say, for fulfilling, lasting relationships each person also has to make the shift from we-thinking to I-Thou thinking. This makes space for two individuals to peacefully co-exist within the safety of the relationship. To find out more click here…

Filed Under: Articles, Couples Tagged With: Counselling Cheadle and Wilmslow, Couples Counselling, Relationships

The Real Reason For Troubled Sibling Relationships 

December 18, 2017 By Joanna Groves Leave a Comment

When siblings are raised in environments where there’s conflict, chaos, rejection or a lack of protection, it has an enormous impact on how they end up relating to each-other in adult life.

Source: The Real Reason For Troubled Sibling Relationships | Marcia Sirota

A great article on the impact of childhood on sibling relationships. I think this approach encourages a more compassionate understanding of you-and-me.

Often we can question ourselves or blame the other when things get tough between siblings. Here the emphasis is on taking a look at shared history to understand the relationship dynamics between brothers and sisters.

I meet people who share painful stories of relationships with siblings: arguments, broken bonds, longed for connections, rivalry that lasts long into adulthood, assumed responsibilities.

You can choose your friends but not your family right? Well, I also believe that gaining insight and awareness into family patterns of being with one another can be hugely beneficial.

Filed Under: Blog Posts Tagged With: Counselling Cheadle and Wilmslow, Family, Relationships

My Office Address

Click on Affinity Centre for map:
The Affinity Centre
7A High Street
Cheadle
SK8 1AX

Connect with me

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn

Copyright © 2022 Joanna Groves · Site built with love by Soul Healer Websites · Log in