Can Marriage Counseling Really Help Your Relationship?

When I began working with couples, I read an article about marriage and divorce. I was surprised to read that 40-50% of all marriages in the United States end in divorce. However, according to recent surveys, the divorce rate fell by 18% between 2008 and 2016. While everyone has their theory as to why the rate is falling, the theory among therapists is that marriage counseling actually works, and more couples are trying it.

Below are some reasons why a couple should consider marriage counseling:

Identifying Patterns

One of the biggest benefits of seeking counseling is having help seeing negative behavioral patterns, whether those patterns are yours as individuals and/or as a couple. Healing can only begin once patterns have been recognized.

Impartial Advice

A therapist is not like a friend or family member who is going to take sides and hand out potentially harmful advice. Marriage counselors have a track record of dealing with all sorts of marital issues and want to understand what’s going on so they can offer the best strategies for healing.

A Safe Space

Marriage counseling offers both spouses a safe space to be completely open and honest with their feelings. If not delivered in the right space, complete honesty can have adverse effects. Counseling offers a safe environment in which no one is ever judged.

A Place to Rebuild Trust

Trust is the bedrock of every relationship. But when that trust is broken, as it is through infidelity, it is hard to put the pieces back together. Marriage counselors have years of experience dealing with issues of infidelity. Counseling explores different ways to rebuild trust one step at a time.

Bringing Out Toxic Emotions

Did you know that trapped toxic emotions are one of the main reasons marriages break down? When you have feelings of anger, resentment and frustration locked deep inside you, they fester and make matters worse. Counseling offers the space and opportunity to let these emotions out in healthy, respectful ways.

If your relationship is on the rocks right now, divorce is not your only solution. Many couples have been helped by marriage counseling and it’s worth it to you both to try it.

If you’d like to explore counseling, I’d be happy to discuss how I may be able to help.