Connection, Objectivity, and Flexibility

While in my final year of my undergraduate degree at King’s in London, Ontario on my educational pursuit to becoming a Registered Psychotherapist I learned from a professor in an Adult Psychopathology course that in many situations we can view the individual and the situation as being affected by three key components of mental health: connection, objectivity, and flexibility. Whether that be our ability to connect with others, how others connect with us, or our general outlook on connection; being able to take a step back and look at situations objectively, and flexibility can represent how adaptable and resilient we can be without holding rigid beliefs about ourselves or others.

Connection
Human beings are inherently social creatures, and the need for connection underpins emotional well-being. Positive relationships provide support, validation, and a sense of belonging that buffer against stress and adversity. Feeling understood and accepted by others fosters resilience and promotes mental health by reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness. Engaging in meaningful connections encourages empathy, communication, and shared experiences, all of which contribute to a stable sense of self and emotional regulation.

Objectivity
Viewing situations with objectivity means approaching challenges and experiences based on facts rather than emotions or assumptions. This principle is crucial in mental health because it helps individuals avoid cognitive distortions, such as catastrophizing or overgeneralizing, which can exacerbate distress. By focusing on evidence and realistic appraisal, people can develop clearer perspectives, make informed decisions, and respond to stressors in adaptive ways. Objectivity encourages rational problem-solving and reduces the impact of emotional reactivity, fostering greater psychological balance.

Flexibility
Flexibility involves the ability to adapt to change, consider alternative viewpoints, and modify behaviours when circumstances shift. In mental health, being flexible allows individuals to navigate life's uncertainties without becoming overwhelmed or rigidly stuck in unhelpful patterns. This adaptability supports coping with stress, managing setbacks, and maintaining emotional stability. Flexibility promotes growth, learning, and resilience by encouraging openness to new experiences and solutions, thereby helping to maintain equilibrium even in the face of adversity. Flexibility does not mean we have to give in or cater to others requests but rather, reflects our ability to not be set in our ways. Being flexible while maintaining boundaries with others also enhances our ability to connect with others and for others to be able to connect and see us as a trustworthy, reliable, reasonable, and considerate person.

Within Therapy

Connection, objectivity, and flexibility all play important roles in therapy as well. Within the therapeutic context I believe that by creating genuine connection and gaining an understanding of the connection made in therapy can be a point of reference for an honest and communicative relationship. Objectivity and flexibility are also prevalent within therapy sessions as they relate to both the therapist and client’s ability to be nonjudgmental, open to new ideas and perspective taking, and to collaboratively approach situations strategically and seek the best possible option moving forward.