What You Need To Know About Relationship Counseling

What You Need To Know About Relationship Counseling Relationships Spouses & Partners Print Everything You Need To Know About Relationship Counseling Why, when and how to pursue therapy to make your relationships stronger By Anabelle Bernard Fournier facebook Anabelle Bernard Fournier is a freelance writer who specializes in home decor and interior design. Shes been writing about interiors since 2012. Learn about our editorial policy Anabelle Bernard Fournier Reviewed by Reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW on October 23, 2019 facebook twitter instagram Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist, author of the bestselling book 13 Things Mentally Strong People Dont Do, and a highly sought-after speaker. Learn about our Wellness Board Amy Morin, LCSW Updated on January 31, 2020 Photo byManuel MeurisseonUnsplash More in Relationships Spouses & Partners Marital Problems LGBTQ Violence and Abuse In This Article Table of Contents Expand When to Seek Relationship Therapy How to Find a Relationship Therapist Online Relationship Counseling What to Expect How to Make Relationship Therapy Effective If Your Partner Refuses Therapy View All Back To Top Saying “relationships are hard” is so common it’s a cliché now. But it’s also true. Even when people get along really well, stress and daily life can cause conflicts that seem difficult or even impossible to resolve. Relationship counseling can help people in these tough situations to work through their problems, move beyond them, and be better partners overall. When to Seek Relationship Therapy Many people believe that you should only seek relationship counseling when separation or divorce are looming. But that is often too little, too late. Relationship therapy should begin as soon as the problems get in the way of your daily life. Here are some signs that you might benefit from a consultation: You have trouble expressing your feelings to one anotherYou have one or more unsolvable disagreementThere is withdrawal, criticism, or contempt in your interactionsA stressful event has shaken your daily lifeYou have trouble making decisions togetherYou experienced infidelity, addiction, or potential abuseYou want a stronger relationship Remember that there are no wrong reasons to seek relationship counseling. Some couples start therapy as soon as they are married, even without obvious problems, to prevent serious problems from developing. Counselors can help you become a better communicator, develop strong relationship skills, and improve your family’s happiness.   Keep in mind that the average couple waits six years before seeking therapy. This is a lot of time to let problems fester; at this point, troubled relationships are difficult to save. It is therefore important to acknowledge problems early and seek therapy as soon as possible. Problems with relationships are not limited to romantic ones, even though that’s the most popular reason people consult for relationship therapy. Relationship therapy isn’t just for married people: cohabiting couples, people in non-monogamous relationships and LGBTQ people can also benefit. It can also be helpful for siblings dealing with family issues, or even business partners! Premarital Counseling Premarital counseling is a type of relationship therapy that helps prepare couples to enter into a long-term commitment. This type of counseling focuses on helping couples develop a strong and healthy relationship before marriage and identify any potential problems that might lead to issues down the road. Some of the relationship issues that might be addressed during premarital counseling include: Values and beliefsRoles and responsibilitiesSex and affectionFinancesCommunicationWhether or not to have childrenParenting choicesFamily relationships This type of relationship counseling can be a good way to establish realistic expectations and develop healthy communication skills that will set a marriage off to a good start. How to Find a Relationship Therapist There are a number of professionals who can offer relationship therapy, including clinical psychologists, registered marriage and family therapists, licensed counselors, and licensed clinical social workers. Remember that even though their title says “marriage”, you do not need to be married to benefit from relationship counseling.   Although going to the internet is most peoples first impulse when looking for a therapist, asking for references from people you know is a more effective way to start. If you live in an urban area, there are probably hundreds of qualified therapists, and making the choice can be overwhelming. If people you know have successfully worked with a therapist, theres a good chance they might work for you too. If you cant find references from people you know, there are many other ways to find a qualified therapist, such as professional directories. You can even seek out online relationship counseling, if that is more convenient for you and your partner. Take advantage of the free consultation that many therapists offer for potential new clients. This is a great time to see if the particular counselor suits your needs, style, and budget. Therapist-client relationships can affect your life in many profound ways, and you should choose wisely. How to Find the Best Therapist for Your Mental Health Online Relationship Counseling If traditional face-to-face therapy wont work for you and your partner, online counseling can be a great option. There are a number of reasons why you might want to try online therapy: You and your partner live in different locations. This might apply to people who are in long-distance relationships or those who are separated and considering a permanent split. Online therapy services give both partners the option to participate even though they live apart.You travel frequently for work. Online options allow people to benefit from counseling no matter how busy their schedule is or where in the world they are located.You or your partner are not comfortable with traditional therapy. Face-to-face therapy can be challenging, uncomfortable, or even anxiety-provoking for some people. Web-based solutions can make relationship counseling more accessible. Online relationship counseling services utilize tools such as online chats, video sessions, and phone calls where couples can talk to each other and their therapist. You and your partner will work to create goals that you would like to achieve in therapy, which may include addressing problems related to communication, arguments, or infidelity.   The 6 Best Online Marriage Counseling Programs of 2020 What to Expect The first few sessions will focus on your history and the problems you are there to solve. Be prepared to answer questions about your relationship, your parents, your childhood, and relationship experiences before your current one. Your therapist will possibly want to spend some time talking to everyone together and to each member separately. The way your therapy is going to go depends on the style of your counselor and the therapeutic approach they use. The most studied style of relationship therapy is emotionally-focused therapy, or EFT. EFT is based on attachment theory, and aims to foster healthy interdependency between members of the couple or family. Other types of relationship therapy include Imago therapy and the Gottman method. Ask your counselor which method they are trained in and which one they think is most suited to your situation. How to Make Relationship Therapy Effective Effective therapy depends not only on the skills and experience of the counselor but also on the willingness of the clients. There are many things you can do to make your relationship counseling more effective. Be Honest Do not lie to your therapist. Sometimes we lie because we dont want to be judged. However, your therapists job is not to judge you but to help you. Stay honest, even when its hard. Prepare Yourself for Discomfort Therapy can often cause discomfort because you are discovering new truths about yourself, not all of them nice or happy. Working on yourself requires that you sit with your discomfort and acknowledge that you need to grow and improve. Your therapist is there to help but ultimately is it up to you to do the work. Listen to Your partner(s) Whether you are doing relationship therapy with one person or a larger family group, its important to listen to what others have to say. Remaining on the defensive and trying to reply to everything that others bring up about your behavior is only going to make things more difficult for everyone. Put in the Time Therapy happens just as much in sessions as between them. Your counselor might give you homework or ask you to try new patterns of communication and interaction in between appointments. Its going to take time and effort, but remember that it is worth it. In the end, its the work that all members of the relationship put in that makes a difference in the results of the therapy. Do not expect the therapist to be a wizard whos going to make all your problems disappear. Consult early, engage honestly in the process, and do the work. If Your Partner Refuses Therapy Even if you believe that your relationship can benefit from therapy, your partner might not be willing to participate. So what can you do in this situation? It is important to remember that you cannot force your partner into counseling. All you can ultimately do is see a therapist on your own and work on issues you are facing as an individual.   An Overview of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy