It may feel like you are admitting defeat to your partner, but in reality it is a routine tune-up that will keep the relationship engine running smoothly.
As you wouldn’t ignore the rattle of your car, counseling can help prevent minor problems from escalating to deal-breakers.
Let’s begin with communication. It is the basis of every partnership. Couples can get stuck in a rut of miscommunications. Counselors can act as translators and translate “What did you mean when you said that?” The counselors will translate ‘What do you mean?’ into “I understand how it feels.” This service helps to clarify the emotions and intentions that are lost in translation.
Consider a scenario in which one partner tells the other “I am fine”, but their bodylanguage says something else. A counselor can help couples decode mixed signals, and teach them how to better communicate their feelings without having to guess. The goal is to turn monologues into dialogs that ensure both voices are heard.
Counseling can also be used as a neutral zone for the resolution of conflict. Consider it a neutral territory where both parties are free to disarm and discuss without fear of retaliation or judgment. This safe environment is essential for dealing with sensitive issues which might be too intense to tackle at dinner.
Sessions with a psychotherapist can also uncover hidden patterns that undermine relationships. Recognizing patterns of behavior, such as a tendency towards jealousy or an inability to deal with conflict is the key to change.
This is similar to pulling out weeds in a garden. Once they are gone, more space opens up for growth.
Don’t forget personal growth. Individuals often discover new facets about themselves–strengths they didn’t know they had or insecurities that were holding them back. You’re like a person who finds an old jacket and discovers it’s pockets are full of cash. Who wouldn’t be interested in that?
But if you’re thinking, “But we are happy. Why fix what’s not broken?” ‘–couples counselling is not only for rocky relationships.
Exploring new depths with your partner can strengthen the bond you have already built. Imagine diving in a coral-reef. Although the surface may look beautiful, it’s worth exploring deeper.
You should also mention how therapy can bridge emotional gaps caused by inevitable life events such as becoming a parent or changing careers. Transition periods can disrupt routines and expectations and strain relationships, if they are not managed with care.
Imagine your counselor as a relationship coach, someone who cheers you on and offers strategies to win the love game. This can include pointing out to you when you step on the toes of your partner during a metaphorical dance.
Couples counseling is not just a bunch of people sitting around and talking. There’s real work to be done both in the office and out. Homework could include dates (hard assignment, right?) or practicing communication skills. Practice communication skills or implement strategies discussed at sessions.
Last but not least, spending time together in couples counseling shows commitment to the happiness of each other. It’s about more than just sticking through thick and thin. It sends out a clear signal: “I value my relationship enough to work proactively on it.”
Consider how couples counseling can not only help to strengthen defenses and prevent problems from occurring, but also enhance the journey you and your partner are taking together.