Stop “Ghosting” and Start Communicating

It’s that time of year when ghosts and goblins fill the streets, but not all hauntings happen on Halloween night. In relationships, “ghosting” can leave behind a lingering chill that’s far more unsettling than any jump scare. Whether it’s a friend who suddenly stops replying or a romantic partner who disappears without explanation, ghosting can trigger feelings of confusion, rejection, and self-doubt. While it might feel easier to vanish than to face an uncomfortable conversation, emotional avoidance often leaves both people without the closure they deserve. 

At Brightside Behavioral Health, we help clients across Rhode Island and Massachusetts understand what drives these behaviors and how to build healthier boundaries instead. Learning to communicate your needs clearly, rather than disappearing, can transform the way you relate to others and to yourself. 

Ghosting often happens when someone feels overwhelmed, anxious, or uncertain about how to express what they’re feeling. It’s a form of emotional flight, protecting the person doing the ghosting from discomfort while leaving the other person to sit with the unknown. But real growth begins when we can stay present in difficult moments and choose honesty over avoidance. Boundaries aren’t about shutting people out; they’re about keeping communication open in a way that protects your well being. 

Therapy provides a supportive space to explore why avoidance patterns show up and how to replace them with skills for assertive communication and emotional regulation. Our clinicians work with clients who struggle with anxiety, relationship issues, and self-esteem to help them develop the confidence to say what they mean and maintain healthy, respectful limits. 

If you’ve been ghosted or recognize that you tend to withdraw when things get tough, you’re not alone. Change starts by understanding that it’s okay to need space, but it’s also okay to communicate that need directly. 

Brightside Behavioral Health offers in-person therapy in Johnston, Cranston, Warwick, and Riverside, Rhode Island, as well as convenient telehealth sessions throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Together, we can help you turn emotional hauntings into opportunities for connection, clarity, and peace.