Counseling for Couples in Medina
Many people believe that you should only seek relationship counseling when separation or divorce are looming. But that is often too little, too late.
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.
Does Couples Counseling Work?
Statistics show that counseling for couples is likely to help communication and other important aspects of a relationship. The American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists report a 98 percent of couples consider counseling a success.
Do not expect the therapist to be a miracle worker who's going to make all your problems disappear, however. Ultimately, the success of couples counseling will depend on your willingness to engage with the treatment. In the end, it's the work that all members of the relationship put in that makes a difference in the results of the therapy.
Does Seeking Out a Couples Counselor Mean My Relationship is Failing?
Going to therapy does not mean that your relationship is failing or that something is inherently wrong. We all get stuck sometimes and just having a neutral person involved can work wonders. The most important thing is to recognize warning signs that your relationship might be suffering, or that you are in need of a little ‘tune-up’ and to seek out help before problems get bigger.
Why Seek Out Couples Counseling?
Here are just a few of the common things that couples seek to address when meeting with a relationship counselor:
You are having trouble communicating your needs or feelings
You have one or more unsolvable disagreements
You or your partner are experiencing withdrawal, criticism, or resentment
A stressful event has shaken your daily life
You have trouble making decisions together
You experienced infidelity, addiction, or potential abuse
You 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.
Getting the Most Out of Couples Counseling
Be Honest and Open: Even when it feels hard, honesty is one of the most important things when working with a couples counselor.
Less Blaming, More Listening: Try to stay out of the defensive stance and listen to your partner’s side. This is the best way to get to a mutual understanding or compromise. Be ready to accept that you both contribute to the relationship’s successes and challenges.
Be Prepared to Feel a Little Uncomfortable: If working on relationship issues were easy, we wouldn’t need couples therapists to facilitate. Discomfort often goes hand in hand with growth and self-improvement, but the work you put in will usually result in a much more satisfying relationship.
Therapy Doesn’t Stop When the Session is Over: The majority of your relationship work happens outside of your actual counseling sessions. Your therapist will probably give you ‘home-works’ to try in between sessions, like changing your typical communication patterns.
Consult early, engage honestly in the process, and do the work. These are the three things to remember. If your relationship is struggling, or if you just want to make it even better, consider reaching out to an experienced and compassionate couples counselor. In both our Medina and Akron, Ohio locations, you will find a variety of counselors who specialize in couples work, with appointments available now.