Marriage is a beautiful, loving arrangement. However, many married people view their marriage as complicated and challenging. While it is true that every marriage will experience ups and downs, many common issues can be effectively resolved or avoided completely. If you are experiencing problems in your marriage, here’s how marriage counseling may help.
What Is Marriage Counseling?
Marriage counseling is a type of talk therapy that helps couples to understand their relationship issues so that they can make wise decisions. Many couples seek marriage counseling when a problem arises in the relationship that they are unable to solve on their own. In some cases, marriage counseling may help a couple to strengthen or rebuild their relationship. On the other hand, marriage counseling may help partners to realize that they would be better off if they split up.
Some of the issues that may bring intimate partners to marriage therapy include concerns about money, trust, communication, sex, physical health, and mental health. Marriage counseling gives a couple the tools they need to communicate, negotiate, and solve problems better. The service is usually offered by a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT). Counseling is usually short term, with the couple seeing the LMFT once per week.
Do You Really Need A Marriage Counselor?
As mentioned earlier, all relationships will experience problems sooner or later. However, not all relationship issues require the assistance of a marriage counselor. Most relationship problems can be solved if both partners allow intense emotions to cool, discuss the issue openly and honestly, and commit to working together to solve it as quickly as possible. Even if a couple is unable to resolve a particular issue on their own, they may choose to seek advice from a trusted family member or friend rather than seek professional help.
Nevertheless, it is important to remember that some relationship challenges may be incredibly complex. Even an experienced family member or friend may not have the skills needed to resolve complex marital problems. Following the advice of a person who is not equipped to handle certain relationship concerns may lead to more harm than good. However, a licensed marriage and family therapist has the training, skills, and experience needed to address complicated relationship issues.
It is very easy for intimate partners to access marriage counseling services today. Many LMFTs have set up offices in all of the major cities in the United States. If a couple living in LA in having relationship problems, they can easily seek couples therapy in Los Angeles without travelling out of town. Some services may even been accessible via videoconference or telephone.
Deciding to go to a marriage counselor can be difficult. It is also not uncommon for at least one partner to resist the idea. One reason for this resistance is that the couple may be concerned about their privacy and they do not want other people to know that they are getting marriage counseling. However, if your marriage has serious problems that you need help to fix, the benefits of seeing an LMFT may far outweigh any perceived disadvantages.
The Right Time To Seek Marriage Therapy
There are a variety of situations in which you and your partner may decide to seek marriage counseling. Some of them are as follows:
Before Exchanging Vows
Yes, you read that right! Pre-marriage counseling is a legit thing and can help a couple save themselves from making the wrong decision. If the partners are not compatible, therapy may help to make it clear. If the couple is experiencing communication problems before they make one of the most important decisions in their lives, therapy may help to overcome it.
Pre-marital therapy can teach intimate partners to be better listeners and more empathetic towards each other. It also highlights the needs and wants of each partner, and explains how to approach the issue if a particular need or want is not adequately addressed soon after marriage.
When Conflicts Affect The Peace
A peaceful home is a blessing. This is especially true if you have kids. However, consistent quarreling, shouting, and screaming can rob a home of its sense of peace and security. Frequent arguments can have a major negative impact on the development of children in the family.
Need For An Unbiased Listener
When problems arise in a relationship, some people find it easier to discuss personal matters with someone they know rather than a stranger. However, it is important to realize that even a trusted family member or friend may be biased toward one partner or the other. Couples that need unbiased feedback may prefer to speak with a licensed marriage and family therapist who has no connection to either partner.
To Learn New Skills
Marriage requires personal and interpersonal skills to make things work. Unfortunately, many people are not aware of this fact before they tie the knot. Some of the skills intimate partners need to be knowledgeable about include effective communication, conflict resolution, cooperation, and emotional regulation. Partners that demonstrate a high level of emotional intelligence tend to develop these skills faster.
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
If you or someone you know is going through a bad patch in marriage, remember that seeking help at the right time is crucial. A licensed marriage and family therapist can help to unearth underlying issues in the relationship and open up the communication lines before you or your partner does something that you may regret later. Reach out to an LMFT in your area as soon as possible if you think your relationship needs professional guidance. Marriage therapy has helped thousands of couples save a relationship they previously thought was unfixable.
