Are You Questioning The Strength Of Your Relationship?
Are you and your partner struggling to connect emotionally and/or physically? Is it difficult to engage in meaningful conversations? Do you and your partner fight often and struggle to resolve arguments effectively? Perhaps you’re constantly bumping up against conflicts concerning substance abuse, infidelity, anger issues or incompatible ideas about how to parent your children. Or maybe the stresses of daily life and lack of time for each other have caused you to feel disconnected and lonely. Do you wish you and your partner could reestablish the strong bond of love and respect you once had for each other?
Maintaining a healthy bond with your partner can be difficult. You and your partner may avoid each other just to get through the day without a fight. The conflict within your relationship may cause family tension. If you and your partner have children, you may worry that your children feel harmed from the unstable household you have created. At work, stress from your relationship may follow you into your professional life, causing you to be less present and productive. You or your partner may have even started staying at work longer or going out with friends to avoid going home. At the end of a long day, you and your partner, both tired and stressed, might feel like you are walking on eggshells around each other.
Relationship Problems Are More Common Than You May Think
You probably know at least a handful of people who have struggled with a marriage or a long-term relationship. More than that, far more couples struggle in silence – hoping their issues will pass with time. One factor contributing to the high rate of unsuccessful relationships is the romanticizing of love in the media. Surrounded by movies, television shows and magazines depicting perfect romance, we are distracted from reality. Real relationships take work, adjustment and compromise.
In addition, a new societal trend has emerged in recent decades: “If a partner does not fit your needs, then get rid of him or her and find a new one.” Unfortunately, this mentality has ended many healthy relationships. The good news is that need not be the case for your relationship. Through couples therapy, you can improve your existing relationship and feel confident moving forward with a fortified bond between you and your partner.
Couples Therapy Can Bring You Closer To Your Life-Long Partner
In a safe, compassionate and hopeful environment, I will help you and your partner rebuild your relationship. In couples therapy sessions, we will work together to modify the dysfunctional behavior that is causing conflict, loneliness and pain and change the way you view your relationship.
Working as your personal coach, I will help you improve communication with each other by showing you how to increase active listening and feel empathy for each other. I can also teach you strategies to help decrease emotional avoidance and promote closeness. Together, we will identify the strengths of your relationship and devise ways for you to build on them.
Some of my solutions-focused activities include role-playing and homework. These activities go beyond traditional therapy and will help you to feel more engaged with each other and strengthen your bond. All of my couples therapy strategies and activities will be tailored to your individual needs. Depending on what causes the stress in your relationship, I will help you and your partner plan ideal solutions.
As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I have been working with couples to improve their relationships for 10 years. Also, I have been married to my husband for 16 years so I know that a strong romantic relationship requires time and energy. Many of the strategies I provide during couples therapy sessions, I use with my own marriage.
Marriage and long-term relationships are not easy, however, if you and your partner are not ready to admit defeat, you have a big advantage in maintaining a viable bond. Couples therapy can provide you with the support, guidance and strategies needed to move forward in a loving and prosperous relationship.
My partner and I are having relationship problems, but I still have questions and concerns about couples therapy…
We might be undergoing a “cold spell.” I don’t know if we need counseling.
Even if your relationship troubles are caused by a timely life event, such as the birth of a child or financial problems, you may still feel distant from your partner after this transition passes. In fact, the wedge dividing you and your partner may grow with time. Seeking couples therapy now greatly improves your chances of staying connected to your partner. No matter the extent to which you are questioning your relationship, couples therapy can provide a routine maintenance check and spark your confidence in your bond.
Will therapy sessions be worth the time and money?
Spending time and money on your relationship is one of the most important investment decisions you and your partner can make. In addition to developing a stronger connection to your partner, you may also notice that you’re more productive at home and work as you spend less time arguing with your partner. Some strategies you learn during therapy sessions can also translate to family and work relationships.
On average, couples therapy lasts seven or eight 50-minute weekly sessions. In most cases, if you have made the step toward seeking relationship help early, you and your partner will need fewer sessions. If you have been struggling to connect with your partner for years, you may want to participate in more couples therapy sessions in order to ensure all of your issues have been addressed and you are on a successful track.
I am not sure if I want this marriage/relationship to continue.
If you and your partner have struggled for a long time and now you feel like your relationship has no hope, you may believe couples therapy will be useless. However, the safe, nonjudgmental environment of couples therapy can show you the possibilities of your relationship. I have worked with many couples who have contemplated divorce. Often, couples who put in the effort during counseling sessions and stay together are much happier five years later than compared to those who divorce or separate.
Confidently Move Forward In Your Relationship
If you are ready to improve or maintain a loving bond with your partner or spouse, I invite you to call me at (469)213-6400 for a free 15-minute phone consultation to discuss your specific needs and answer questions you have about couples therapy and my practice.