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Distress related to interpersonal problems is one of the main reasons that clients seek or . And at least part of the healing power of therapy comes down to the ability of a therapist to provide an , genuine, and supportive relationship with a client.

The importance of relationships to our well-being is well documented. In order for people to be at their best we need these sorts of interactions, in which people cherish us as we are and inspire us to be our best.

Good relationships provide us with , so we feel free to express ourselves and feel understood, validated, and cared for. Happy people report greater levels of social participation; they are more likely to feel that they have friends to count on; they trust others; they view their relationships more positively; and they spend less time alone and more time with family, friends, or romantic partners.

Poorer quality relationships, or the lack of caring relationships, are associated with the presence of mental-health difficulties. People with problems of and tend to have less intimate, less confiding, less responsive, and more conflictual relationships. They also have less contact with friends and, in many cases, they lack close relationships.

Think about your own expectations of your friendships and ask yourself these questions:

1. Do you expect your friends to be genuine with you?

Do you put up with lies and half-truths from your friends? Do you sometimes feel like you are a friend's back-up plan? If so, raise your expectations and put your energy only into relationships that are genuine and truly respectful of you.

2. Do you expect your friends to value you for who you are?

Or do you ever feel that your friends only love you if you are the person that they want you to be? Friends should love you as you are and be pleased when good things happen to you.

3. Do you expect your friends to be interested in you and caring toward you?

Do you feel that your friends try to see things from your point of view? Or do they try to convince you to see things the same way as they do? Friends should cherish you and your point of view.

Relationships that have these qualities will be experienced as authentic.

To find out more about , check out my new book, Authentic: How to be yourself and why it matters, or visit www.authenticityformula.com.