3 early signs of a good relationship, according to a therapist

• New relationships can feel exciting and scary, making it hard to tell if you're on the right track.
• Focus on how you feel around your partner, therapist Patrcie Le Goy said.

The first few days, weeks, and months of dating someone new can feel equal parts exciting and scary. And with the added rush of feel-good hormones during this time, it can seem nearly impossible to demystify your true compatibility for the long term.

Though different singles look for different things when it comes to finding a long-term partner, there are a few universal signs that a new relationship is healthy and sustainable, Patrice Le Goy, a marriage and family therapist based in Los Angeles, told Business Insider.

According to Le Goy, focusing on how you feel around that person can be a helpful strategy, since fixating on specific behavior — like how many texts you send each other or where you go on your first few dates — could cause someone to get too into their head about their relationship health.

She shared three simple signs for gauging whether a simmering romance could progress into healthy, long-term commitment.

You don't second-guess acting like yourself

Often, pop culture portrayals of love can make it seem like the beginnings of a relationship should be riddled with uncertainty — over how you should act, what you should and shouldn't share, and what you should expect of your new lover.

Really, the opposite is true, according to Le Goy.

"I think tension is overrated. You want to feel comfortable, happy, and excited to be with this person. You should feel safe, not wonder what's coming next," Le Goy said.

She said that one clear sign that your early relationship is healthy is that you feel like you can act like yourself whenever you're interacting with this person, whether it's to share a vulnerable moment, showcase your sense of humor, or mingle with each other's loved ones.

If, on the other hand, you find yourself regularly questioning whether your words or actions are "right" around your partner, it could mean you don't feel comfortable around them, Le Goy said. She added that if your loved ones make positive observations about your connection, saying you look happy together or something similar, that's a good indicator of a healthy start.

You both take responsibility for hurt feelings and mistakes

While relationships should have little tension, it's normal to have arguments or miscommunications even with a new partner, Le Goy told Business Insider.

She said that paying attention to how you and your partner navigate these moments is usually more indicative of your long-term compatibility than the substance of the arguments.

If you both show a desire to talk through how and why a conflict happened, and you can do so without belittling each other through yelling, name-calling, or stonewalling, that shows you have mutual respect, Le Goy said.

You support each other's individual lives and interests

As two people become closer, it's normal to spend more time together and lean into mutual interests. In a healthy relationship, partners also make space for each other's differing hobbies, friend circles, and self-care needs, according to Le Goy.

If you and your partner can talk about each other's expectations for how much time you spend together and how much time you spend on your own, and come up with compromises where you both feel comfortable, that's another sign you're off to a good start, Le Goy said.

She added that partners should be supportive of each other's individual pursuits, rather than viewing time apart as a sign of relationship insecurity.