- Advice from personal sources is always based upon the experiences and perspectives of those giving their thoughts on the matter of relationships. Family members and friends will share what they have learned through all the different sources, as well as what has actually affected them and why they thought it all occurred. This kind of advice may be very helpful, but the listener should be aware that what worked for other people will not always work for him. Pay attention to the relationships in the lives of those who are speaking. If they have long-lasting and seemingly healthy relationships, their advice may be more helpful than if the opposite is true. For any relationship to be beneficial, honest communication must be present. If you are advised against this course, you may want to seek other sources of advice.
- Mental health care professionals have received much training regarding various methods of achieving and maintaining healthy relationships. If they have been practicing for a number of years, they have also been intimately exposed to the thoughts and experiences of many different couples who have struggled through relationship issues. They should, therefore, have a better concept of what does and does not work to enable successful relationships. Take caution when accepting professional advice however, as relationships are one of the most personal topics that exist. Even professionals are sometimes biased to their own individual ideas and experiences. The many different types of psychological methods and analogies discussed in professional forums prove this. A therapist may have more respect for one type of psychological training than another, and her advice will reflect this.
- Professionals in the mental health care field are often the authors of relationship advice that is delivered through various publications, but not always. Many have found the relationships in their lives to be positively influenced by their readings of various relationship articles and studies. When choosing to read advice, an individual can interpret it in any way she chooses. This in and of itself will vary the results of the relationship advice she takes. In some ways it is important to utilize relationship advice in manners that are more personal and unique to one's own situation. Reading, rather than experiencing one-on-one discussions will sometimes prevent an individual's ideas from actually being challenged; therefore receiving relationship advice from a variety of sources will be more likely to have an impact on the seeker that will lead to actual growth and understanding.
