To be “reassuring” is to communicate in ways that leave no room for fear, doubt or insecurity in your partner and make them feel safe, relaxed or more confident in your connection.

Reassurance operates on both emotional and rational levels; it allows you to believe that everything is going to be okay, even if your mind continuously whispers the worst possible scenarios in your head. This is especially the case when there is a disagreement, conflict or misunderstanding. However, a reassuring partner never leaves you to spiral on your own.

Here are three clear indications that you have a reassuring partner to rely on.

1. They Update You Before You Even Have To Ask

A 2022 study published in Europe’s Journal of Psychology examined 110 couples over a two-week period. The researchers discovered that individuals with anxious attachment styles tend to ask for a lot of reassurance to ensure they feel safe and secure with their partners, whereas individuals with an avoidant attachment style tend to ask for less reassurance even if they need it.

Regardless of whether you ask for it or how much of it you need, a reassuring partner readily provides it. No matter if they’re running behind, didn’t answer your call or are having a terrible day, a supportive partner lets you know what’s happening without leaving you in suspense. When they’re angry, they let you know the anger isn’t about you. And when they mess up, they don’t sidestep vulnerability or avoid blame.

There are small moments throughout the day when a reassuring partner can anticipate what you might like to know, such as:

• If they’re unavailable for some time, they fill you in on what’s holding them up. They always inform you where they are and what they’re doing so that you don’t worry.

• They always tell you if they’ve been thinking of you, even if it’s in the tiniest of moments.

• They readily share details of their lives with you, telling you if anything bothers or excites them, so that you feel like an important part of their life.

By keeping you in the loop, they ensure you’re never feeling left out or lonely in the relationship. With them, it doesn’t feel like you’re “too much” or “never enough” and your need for reassurance is treated as completely valid.

2. They’re Predictable And Mindful

A reassuring partner is a consistent one. The fastest way to build trust in any relationship is to match your words with your actions. When you remove unpredictability from a relationship, it leaves little to no room for guessing, and that means a sense of safety.

When your partner shows up as they are from day one, you know what to expect. When they say, “I love you,” you know they mean it because they’ve proven time and again through their actions that they do. This is especially important if your past relationships have left you doubting yourself or struggling with trust issues.

A reassuring partner helps undo the damage by showing you that safety exists. This consistency between what they say and the things they do creates safety in a way few other things can match.

Even though no relationship can truly be predictable at all times, accepting that turbulence is a natural part of any partnership considerably improves the daily lives and moods of couples. A 2020 study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships followed 80 couples over two weeks to find out how they felt in their relationship each day, and how it affected their everyday moods.

Researchers found that people who were naturally more mindful paid attention to the present moment without any judgment. They didn’t let one bad day make them view their entire relationship in a negative light. Similarly, a reassuring partner is often reliable and mindful in how they perceive their relationships.

They are a rock when things feel shaky, because they believe in your relationship, and that confidence can rub off on you, calming your doubts and anxiety, especially when going through a rough patch.

3. They Address Conflict Directly

Reassuring partners are often perceptive; they know when something is wrong and bring it up gently. Instead of pretending there isn’t a problem, avoiding confrontation or brushing problems under the rug, they directly address issues before they have a chance to fester and destroy your relationship.

By doing this, they signal their belief that, “I am more scared of us falling apart than I am of facing something I am uncomfortable with.” Even if a partner started out being someone who didn’t like conflict, over time, they begin to take initiative in leading tough conversations when they come to understand how much it matters to you and to the well-being of your relationship.

A 2025 study published in Behavioral Sciences identified that individuals’ most frequent approach to dealing with conflict is to resolve the issue through open discussion, negotiation compromise and enhancing intimacy. Avoiding or evading was the least desirable method. This indicates that reassuring partners who bring up relationship matters gently and solve problems collaboratively with their partner create healthier, more fulfilling relationships.

When you have a reassuring partner, you never have to second-guess whether they are on your team or not. You feel confident in your relationship and know that when you fall, they will always be there to catch you, no matter what.

How safe and supported do you truly feel in your relationship? Take the science-backed Perceived Responsiveness Scale to find out.

A similar version of this article can also be found on Forbes.com, here.