Do you seem to repeat the same dysfunctional relationship patterns – even though they leave you frustrated and hurt? There are several different reasons for our tendency to repeat destructive behavioral patterns: * We repeat what's familiar * We repeat what we learned as children * We repeat what was traumatizing in an unconscious effort to gain mastery over it Unfortunately, dysfunctional relationship patterns are learned and passed from one generation to the next. We will probably repeat them until we process this, get healing, and get to a place where we feel lovable and worthy of being treated with respect and kindness. Learning new skills can be scary - it's easier to keep doing what you've always done than to learn new coping skills, communication skills, and self value perceptions. Therapy can help tremendously with this process - not easy, but it is possible. You don't have to repeat unhealthy patterns, you can learn new ways to have relationships, be free and enjoy your life.