When I first started my practice, I remember reading a statistic about divorce that I found shocking. And that was that 40-50% of all marriages in the United States ended in divorce.
According to recent surveys, however, the divorce rate in the U.S. 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 it is because marriage counseling actually works, and more couples are giving it a try. If you and your partner are experiencing difficulties, here are some reasons why you should give couples counseling a try:
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. Couples counselors have a track record of dealing with all sorts of relational and marital issues and want to understand what’s going on so they can offer the best strategies for healing.
A Safe Space
Couples therapy / marriage counseling offers both individuals 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. Couples counselors have years of experience dealing with issues of infidelity as well as identifying the factors that lend to the betrayal. 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 there 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, break up or divorce is not your only option. Thousands of couples have been helped by couples therapy / marriage counseling and it’s worth it to you both to give it a shot.
If you’d like to explore counseling, please call or email me today. I would be happy to discuss how I may be able to help.
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