There’s a misconception about couples counseling – that it signals the end of the road. People often think seeking therapy for your long-term relationship means it’s time to break up. That is simply not true. Couples counseling isn’t a divorce express train. It’s a chance to work on your relationship and build a stronger foundation.
But here’s the thing: without any positive changes, whether you try therapy or not, your relationship might struggle. The good news? You can address these issues! Couples counseling can help you navigate challenges and rediscover happiness together.
Reasons To Try Couples Counseling
Relationships, whether marriages or long-term partnerships, naturally experience ups and downs. That’s part of the journey. But sometimes these ebbs and flows can lead to lasting resentment and unresolved issues. That’s where couples counseling comes in. Here are a few reasons why many couples choose to seek therapy:
1. Communication Issues
Are you and your partner having trouble communicating? Maybe you rarely talk, or when you do, you feel like you’re speaking into a black hole. This can lead to misunderstandings, frustration, and feeling unheard.
But you can take comfort in a few things. First off, it is not just your relationship. Many couples find that talking things through becomes more challenging the longer they’ve been together. And secondly, it is fixable! Communication is like anything else and just needs practice to get to a better space.
Especially nowadays, the tricky part is that communication comes in so many forms (all of which need to be smooth!) Text, email, phone calls, and even social media all affect our communication styles.
2. Infidelity or Lack of Trust
Infidelity might seem uncommon, but statistics show a surprising reality: slightly more than 46% of people in monogamous relationships admitted to having affairs. Other research completed over two decades has found that 20 to 25% of married men cheat, and 10 to 15% of married women cheat.
And rebuilding trust after an affair or any situation that caused it to crumble can be incredibly difficult. It takes immense vulnerability and effort from both partners to overcome these issues. The good news? Couples counseling can be an excellent tool for overcoming these concerns. Attending couples counseling can help prevent your relationship from getting stagnant and leading to an affair.
It’s important to know affair recovery is not impossible, and with the proper support, you can rebuild a stronger relationship. (That’s right! We’ve seen it happen with countless couples.) It just takes time for both parties to be open to trusting again.
3. Emotional Distance
When was the last time you felt like a united front, truly understanding each other’s emotions, priorities, and the reasons behind daily actions? Do you find yourself feeling emotionally distant from your partner? This can happen over time, especially when life (and growing a family) gets in the way.
Or maybe you’re having trouble expressing your emotions to your partner in a way they understand. (Finding the words can be tricky sometimes!) Either way, couples therapy can help bridge this gap and relearn each other. You’re with your partner for a reason. We’re simply here to help you remember why and build the skills to grow.
4. Upcoming Life Transitions
It can be crucial before big life transitions to talk to an impartial therapist during or before these times. Examples include moving, deployments, or significant life changes that can strain your relationship. Our expert team in Fort Worth at Fort Wellness Counseling can help you manage the upcoming chaos and begin the process on the best foot possible.
How Couples Counseling in Fort Worth Can Transform Your Relationship
There are many misconceptions about couples counseling, so let’s clear the air on the biggest one – therapists don’t take sides! Essentially, we act as a guide, helping you understand each other’s perspectives and communicate more effectively. With that in mind, here are a few ways we’ve seen relationships blossom after starting couples counseling. Being neutral is one of the most important parts of the therapist in couples counseling.
1. Develop Better Communication Styles
Many people think couples counseling is all about rehashing every fight you’ve ever had. But that isn’t the case! Our Fort Worth therapists want to teach you how to repair a single disagreement – so you can apply all those skills to future arguments.
Of course, if you have a particular dispute for which you’re looking for a mediator, we can help. But in general, don’t think you’ll spend all your sessions reviewing fights to find a winner. Couples therapy aims to reunite your partnership so you can continue to tackle whatever life throws at you as a team.
2. Learn to Rebuild Trust
Rebuilding trust takes time and effort from both partners. It’s a journey built on actions, not just words.
In cases of infidelity, the partner who broke trust needs to sincerely apologize, end the wrongdoing completely, commit to honesty and demonstrate empathy. While understandably upset, the hurt partner should avoid dwelling on the past. Instead, they should openly express their feelings and work towards forgiveness. That’s not to say that we cannot process what happened, but at some point we do have to work on rebuilding a preferred future.
The same principles apply to trust issues stemming from everyday life experiences, but a formal apology might not be necessary. Open communication and a willingness to work together are key to letting each other back in fully.
3. Find Your Groove Again
It’s never too early (or late) to try couples therapy – and certainly, don’t wait for a crisis! Therapy can help you build a strong foundation early on or reignite the spark in a long-term relationship.
(In fact, we see many partnerships who wisely choose therapy before getting married or even early on when they recognize the importance of the relationship!)
4. Have a Safe Space to Talk
Many people have yet to experience a truly safe environment for expressing emotions or working through complex thoughts. And couples therapy offers precisely that. Communication issues, intimacy, parenting struggles, finances – whatever the challenge, counseling provides a safe space to talk openly and honestly, addressing the root causes and finding solutions. Our job is to provide an environment for you and your partner to be able to work through the issues you need to work on and teach you the tools and skill to help you make long-term lasting change.
Couples Counseling in Fort Worth, TX: Rekindle the Spark
We have multiple couples counseling therapists here at Fort Wellness Counseling, and today, we’ll shine a light on two of them – Hannah Causey, MA, LPC and Karen Blandino, MEd, LPC.
Hannah Causey, MA, LPC uses a variety of techniques to help couples. These techniques include CBT (communication and problem-solving skills), DBT (managing conflict and emotions), and Family Systems Therapy (understanding how family dynamics affect relationships). She also uses mindfulness techniques to help couples improve communication and connection!
Karen Blandino, MEd, LPC has helped individuals, couples, and families grow their relationships for over a decade. She uses Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), Narrative Therapy, and CBT to treat various concerns. Plus, her Gottman Method, Grief Training, and Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts (SYMBIS) certifications help her address relationship dynamics in a compassionate and transformative manner.
Remember, no one else can fix your relationship for you. Take the first step and reach out to our team today!