Why Compatibility Isn’t Always A Good Thing, From A Marriage Therapist

First, let’s actually define what we mean when we talk about compatibility: “Compatibility is a natural, effortless way of relating to another person and feeling a connection,” licensed couples' therapist Racine Henry, Ph.D., LMFT, recently told mbg. It isn’t necessary to be similar to be compatible, she notes, and in fact compatibility often stems from two people having a mechanism for dealing with conflict in the areas in which they differ.

“Compatibility in a relationship stems from there being a complementary relationship,” she explains—but this is also where things get tricky.

According to Henry, just because two people are compatible or have traits that complement each other “doesn’t always mean it is a healthy or positive complementarity.” Sometimes two people complement each other in ways that may not be in one or both people’s best interests.

For example, she says, “There may be someone domineering who finds a partner that is passive.” This will probably help the two of them move through conflicts—the domineering person will simply walk over the passive person, who in turn will acquiesce and go along with their partner’s decisions. This means the relationship might be able to last—but it doesn’t necessarily mean it should.

There are many examples of unhealthy compatibility: Narcissists often seek out echoists, their self-effacing opposites, who they can more easily take advantage of. A person who doesn’t give a lot in relationships might do great with someone who doesn’t ask for a lot, masking the former’s selfishness and the latter’s abandonment issues.

Just because two people click well doesn’t mean they’re actually a great match, and just because a relationship technically “works” doesn’t mean it’s healthy. People can be attracted to people for the wrong reasons, and people can sometimes stay in unhealthy relationships just because they’re familiar or comfortable. In such situations, “compatibility” isn’t doing much for us.

As psychotherapist Ken Page, LCSW, previously told mbg, “We have to grow our capacity to discriminate."

Beyond compatibility, it’s important to check to see if the basic building blocks of a healthy relationship are there—things like trust and vulnerability, an equal give-and-take between you, being able to care for yourself and the relationship simultaneously, and a feeling of true safety. And according to relationship therapist Jordan Dann, MFA, LP, CIRT, a healthy relationship actually requires a healthy dose of differentiation.

Here’s a full list of green flags to look for in a relationship. And if you need it, we also have a toxic relationship quiz to help you identify unhealthy patterns.

Advertisement

Advertisement