Maladaptive beliefs are thoughts or ideas we hold about ourselves and the world that are unhelpful and can cause problems in our lives. These beliefs often stem from the impact of relational trauma and can make us feel bad about ourselves, affect our relationships, and influence our behavior in negative ways. They are called “maladaptive” because they don’t help us function well or have healthy relationships. Instead, they often lead to distress, anxiety, or difficulty in our daily lives.

A sample of maladaptive beliefs about relationship might look like:

“I’m too messed up to be loved by anyone.”

“No one will want me once they know about my past.”

“All guys/girls are cheaters, just like my father.”

And this is just a small sample of maladaptive beliefs.

Maladaptive behaviors are actions or ways of behaving that are unhelpful or counterproductive in achieving our goals or maintaining our well-being. These behaviors often result from maladaptive beliefs and can lead to difficulties in our lives and relationships. Maladaptive behaviors are typically harmful or self-defeating, preventing us from adapting to new situations or finding better solutions to problems. In essence, they are actions that don’t serve our best interests and can........

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