Relationships Strengthening Relationships Why Trust Matters in Your Relationship and How to Build It The importance of comfort, security, and loyalty can't be overstated By Sanjana Gupta Sanjana Gupta Sanjana is a health writer and editor. Her work spans various health-related topics, including mental health, fitness, nutrition, and wellness. Learn about our editorial process Updated on December 06, 2023 Reviewed Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by mental health professionals. Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Ivy Kwong, LMFT Reviewed by Ivy Kwong, LMFT Ivy Kwong, LMFT, is a psychotherapist specializing in relationships, love and intimacy, trauma and codependency, and AAPI mental health. Learn about our Review Board Print Verywell / Madelyn Goodnight Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Are You in a Healthy Relationship? Take the Quiz Why Trust Matters Impact of Lack of Trust How Do You Deepen Trust in a Relationship? How to Rebuild Trust Trending Videos Close this video player There are few things as comforting as having a strong sense of trust in your relationship, but it takes time and intentionality to develop. To have trust in a relationship means that you feel a sense of security and loyalty with your partner. According to Sabrina Romanoff, PsyD, a clinical psychologist and professor at Yeshiva University, it's the basis of a solid relationship. “To trust means to rely on another person because you feel safe with them and have confidence that they will not hurt or violate you. Trust is the foundation of relationships because it allows you to be vulnerable and open up to the person without having to defensively protect yourself,” says Romanoff. At a Glance Trust is an important pillar in relationships, and the lack of it can lead to negativity, conflict, insecurity, depression, and anxiety. If your relationship is lacking trust, it’s important to work with your partner to build it, so that you can let your guard down and be vulnerable with each other. If you are having difficulties resolving your trust issues with your partner, you can seek help from a therapist or a couples counselor. Why You May Have Trust Issues and How to Overcome Them Are You in a Healthy Relationship? Take the Quiz If you've got questions about your relationship, our fast and free quiz can help you better understand if your partnership is rock solid or if it could use some work. This healthy relationship quiz was reviewed by Sabrina Romanoff, PsyD. Why Trust Matters Trust is a vital component in happy and successful relationships. Here's how it can impact your relationship for the better. The 10 Best Online Couples Therapy Services We Tried and Tested in 2024 Promotes Positivity Trust is important in relationships because it allows you to be more open and giving. If you trust your partner, you are more likely to be forgiving of their shortcomings or behaviors that irritate you because overall you believe in them and know they have your back. Reduces Conflict Trust also allows you to navigate conflict. When you trust your partner, you are more willing to overlook problems or commit to finding solutions to issues because you feel allied in areas that mean the most to you. Even if your partner does something disappointing, you are more likely to give them the benefit of the doubt and see the good in them if you trust them. Increases Closeness Establishing trust creates a strong bond and foundation to build on. Knowing you can trust your partner promotes increased closeness and safety. When you trust one another, you feel safe knowing that your partner has your back and can be relied upon for comfort, care, and support. Press Play for Advice On Navigating Conflict Hosted by therapist Amy Morin, LCSW, this episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast, featuring Purple Heart recipient Craig Rossi and Fred, shares why it's OK to give second chances. Click below to listen now. Follow Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts 5 Green Flags in Relationships Impact of Lack of Trust Trust takes time to build, and if your partner consistently fails to follow through on promises or commitments, you will begin to have low expectations of them. Sabrina Romanoff, PsyD When your partner’s actions are not aligned with their words, you will begin to learn that they are not trustworthy. Repeated violations or consistent hurtful behaviors erode trust. — Sabrina Romanoff, PsyD Lack of trust can create many problems in your relationship. A lack of trust can also affect your mental health in the following ways: Lack of intimacy: When there is little trust in a relationship, intimacy tends to decrease. When your partner is being deceitful, you will likely want to distance yourself from them, both emotionally and physically. Negativity: When you feel wronged by your partner, you may fixate on this feeling, which will not only cause you to withdraw from them, but will also cause you to be filled with anger towards them. This can stifle connection and closeness. Insecurity: Lack of trust usually leads to insecurity in the relationship. In turn, you will constantly doubt what your partner tells you and may react by becoming more controlling, which can push them further away. For instance, incessantly calling or texting your partner to keep tabs on them can drive them away. Depression and anxiety: If there is little trust in your relationship, you might experience higher levels of depression or anxiety because you will constantly question whether your partner is lying or being deceitful. Trouble concentrating: Lack of trust can lead to an inability to concentrate, especially if you are constantly worrying or wondering what the other person is actually thinking, feeling, or doing. Distress: Not being able to trust your partner contributes to mental, emotional, and physical distress, including betrayal, trauma, and emotional dysregulation. Fear: Low trust can cause feelings of fear and anxiety. You might be afraid of what your partner will do next, or you might worry that they won't be there when you need them. Loneliness: When you can't trust the closest person in your life, you are bound to experience feelings of loneliness and isolation. How Couples Can Rebuild Trust in a Relationship How Do You Deepen Trust in a Relationship? There are a number of things that you can do to help promote trust in your relationship. Romanoff shares some strategies that can be helpful. Improve on Mistakes An important step to build trust is to be honest and forthcoming when you violate expectations or hurt one another. Everyone makes mistakes. What is important is that you can learn and grow closer to each other after you repair whatever was damaged as a result of the mistake. The best way to do this is to own them completely and show how you will do better in the future. Engage in Open Communication Secrecy tends to erode trust, so when your partner is able to be transparent and allows space to explore topics that might trigger your mistrust, you can begin to feel more at ease and begin to let your guard down. The more you are able to get on the same page, the closer you will feel toward your partner. Open communication makes it easier for you to discuss concerns about the relationship. When you can have open communication, you will feel closer to your partner. How to Rebuild Trust If trust has been damaged in a relationship, there are things that you can do to help rebuild your trust, intimacy, and connection. Steps you can take: Be open and willing to work on the relationshipCreate new positive experiences togetherTalk to one anotherFind ways to connectSay what you mean and mean what you sayKeep and follow through on commitments you makeBe consistentListen empathetically, be present with your partner, and ask questions to better understand them and your relationship with themContinually deepen your own self-awareness so that you can share your most honest thoughts, emotions, needs, and requestsAcknowledge and take responsibility for mistakes made, apologize for the harm done, and be clear and specific about how things will be approached differently in the future Patience is also important. It may take time to rebuild trust, but continuing to work toward improving your relationship can help you eventually mend those damaged connections. Get Help Now We've tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of the best online therapy programs including Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Find out which option is the best for you. How Couples Therapy Can Improve Your Relationship 2 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Kleinert T, Schiller B, Fischbacher U, et al. The Trust Game for Couples (TGC): A new standardized paradigm to assess trust in romantic relationships. PLoS One. 2020;15(3):e0230776. Published 2020 Mar 26. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0230776 Arikewuyo AO, Eluwole KK, Özad B. Influence of Lack of Trust on Romantic Relationship Problems: The Mediating Role of Partner Cell Phone Snooping. Psychol Rep. 2021;124(1):348-365. doi:10.1177/0033294119899902 By Sanjana Gupta Sanjana is a health writer and editor. Her work spans various health-related topics, including mental health, fitness, nutrition, and wellness. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Helpful Report an Error Other Submit