Are you and your spouse/partner arguing a lot? Does it seem as if you are not even in the same book, let alone on the same page? Or have you fallen into what I call "administrative love" where your interactions are purely functional and practical to the point of feeling more like roommates than life mates?
Couples often seek marriage or relationship counseling when their relationship has become a source of pain and unhappiness for one or both partners. Some of the issues that can take a toll on a relationship include:
- Finances
- Parenting
- Negotiation of domestic responsibilities
- Poor communication
- Resentment
- Infidelity
- Lack of intimacy
- Distrust
Learning to communicate effectively, manage conflict, deepen friendship and enhance intimacy can alleviate emotional distress and help couples reconnect and recommit to their relationship. Many people wait until things become unbearable before seeking therapy. This approach makes is ill-advised as it makes salvaging the relationship more difficult, especially if therapy is seen as the "last ditch effort".
But if you and your partner approach therapy with an earnest commitment to change yourselves and not just seek to fix one another, couple's therapy can have a beneficial impact. My approach to couples therapy has less of an emphasis on the past contributions to your relationship problems and a greater focus on your desired future together and how to get there.
Strong marriages equal strong families. If your relationship is in trouble or you simply want to enhance it, make the wise choice and call for an appointment today!
