How to Apologize Well After an Argument

Do you ever say, I'm sorry, but still feel like nothing's really fixed afterward? Hi, I'm Dr. Andrea Zorbas, a psychologist from Therapy Now SF. Apologies can heal or hurt, depending on how we give them. Here's how to apologize in a way that actually can repair the relationship.

A real apology starts with accountability. So own what you said or what you did. No excuses or saying "but you blah, blah, blah" qualifiers.

Next is validation builds trust. So you're gonna wanna acknowledge your partner's feelings, even if you didn't mean to hurt them, because the reality is that the intent sometimes is not what the impact is. So you might not have intended harm, but the impact is what matters most.

Lastly, you're gonna wanna follow through. So by doing that, you're changing the behavior and it's not just the words. Consistent actions rebuild safety over time.

If you find repairing conversations difficult, therapy can help you learn how to communicate and rebuild trust after conflict.

Visit therapy now SF and you can get started.