Is It Time for Couples’ Therapy?

The article is developed in partnership with BetterHelp.

Being in a committed relationship is a little like riding a roller coaster, with plenty of ups and downs, twists and turns. 

And while that’s often fun, sometimes the ride gets too bumpy – and you find yourselves stuck in a seemingly endless loop of discontent. The hustle and bustle of everyday life can create a wedge, leading to poor communication, decreased intimacy, and a lack of connection in your marriage.

If any of this resonates with you – or you proactively want to strengthen your relationship – it might be time to consider couples’ therapy.

How Couples’ Counseling Might Help 

When faced with challenges in your relationship, a licensed marriage and family therapist can provide a safe environment for both partners to express their feelings and work toward solutions. 

Therapy can often equip couples with the tools they need to rebuild effective communication channels and re-establish intimacy.

Therapists also can help couples identify the “blame game” pattern and guide them toward expressing their needs more constructively. Breaking free from the blame game fosters a healthier, more supportive relationship and stops couples from holding each other responsible for their own unhappiness.

Here are some of the most common reasons couples seek counseling:

Financial Conflicts: Financial disagreements are a common source of stress in many marriages. Disagreements over spending habits, saving strategies, and financial priorities can strain a relationship. 

Through therapy, couples can delve into these issues, explore the roots of their financial conflicts, and develop strategies for managing money collaboratively.

Poor Communication: Many relationship issues are the result of ineffective communication. If your home feels either too loud because of constant arguments or eerily silent from the silent treatment, professional assessment and guidance can be invaluable.

 Therapy offers a structured environment to practice healthier communication, with therapists providing real-time feedback and valuable suggestions. 

Effective communication is a skill that can be cultivated, allowing couples to navigate conflicts successfully on their own.

Diminished Intimacy: If your once-passionate relationship has lost its spark, therapy may help you and your partner reconnect – both emotionally and physically. 

A therapist can recommend strategies, such as dedicated date nights, to reignite the flame.

Breach of Trust: Infidelity, whether emotional or physical, can shatter trust in a relationship. 

Couples’ therapy provides a structured space to address the root causes of the breach and work toward rebuilding trust.

Major Life Changes: Life transitions, such as the birth of a child, the death of a loved one, or a partner’s retirement, can strain a relationship. 

Couples’ therapy assists partners in navigating these changes together, ensuring a smoother transition.

Substance Abuse or Addiction: Addiction can put a significant strain on a relationship. Therapy offers a supportive environment to address underlying issues, fostering open and honest conversations about addiction and its impact on the relationship.

How Effective is Couples’ Therapy?

Results indicate that couples’ therapy is highly effective. In fact, according to the American Psychological Association, couples’ therapy is successful in approximately 75 percent of cases. 

Keep in mind that seeking professional help is not an admission of failure, but an opportunity to strengthen a relationship. Therapy equips couples with tools for effective communication, strengthens emotional bonds, increases cooperation, reduces stress, and, ultimately, can lead to a more satisfying relationship.

It’s also important to remember that you don’t have to wait for a problem to seek a marriage counselor. The process of counseling can help strengthen your relationship and help both partners develop long-term tools for communication and intimacy.

For more information about how couples’ therapy may help, check out this trusted resource: https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/marriage/are-you-in-an-unhappy-marriage-therapy-can-help/. 

How to Find the Right Therapist

Finding the right therapist is crucial for couples’ therapy to be a success. Resources such as the American Psychological Association website and even your insurance company can help you identify qualified therapists. It may take a few sessions with different professionals to find the right fit, but the effort is worthwhile for the health of your relationship.

Couples’ therapy is an investment in the health and stability of your relationship. Whether facing communication challenges, financial disagreements, or major life transitions, therapy provides a roadmap to navigate obstacles successfully. 

By addressing issues head-on and fostering a deeper understanding of each other, couples can transform an unsatisfactory marriage into a joyful and fulfilling one. 

Don’t hesitate to seek the professional help you deserve to rebuild love and connection in your marriage.