Counseling can greatly improve the quality of your relationship, however, many wait longer than needed to seek out a couple’s therapist. Therapy can help to improve almost any relationship, even an already healthy one. Learning new ways to communicate and support each other can always be helpful. 

How Counseling can Help Improve Relationships

Marriage or couples counseling can help people in all types of intimate relationships. However, some couples are resistant to trying therapy and may wait until their problems seem unmanageable. Couples counseling can be effective in the following ways:

• Relationship skills are learned. Many couples refuse counseling because they feel they can fix the situation on their own. The truth is, you may not have the ability to fix everything to maintain your relationship. There are individual patterns and differences carried over into your relationship that can make conflict resolution more complicated. The willingness to get professional help is not only a sign of courage, but also a commitment to preserve your relationship.
• Keeping a relationship healthy is a team effort. No one wants to take the blame, but instead partners point fingers at each other when conflict arises. If there is a problem in your relationship you need to be part of the solution. Blaming will not resolve anything. A trained therapist can help you to identify problems and help you to find resolution.
• Counseling is a process. Many couples feel embarrassed to share personal problems with another person. This may be true at the onset of counseling, especially when disagreements happen in front of a stranger. Trust a skillful therapist to create a warm and secure environment for you to process your disagreements and concerns, working together to find resolution. 

** For couples, it is important to note that most insurances pay for “family” counseling. This means that one individual has symptoms that meet criteria for a diagnosis like anxiety, depression, adjustment issues, etc. Many times what is happening in our closest relationships contributes to symptoms, so counseling helps alleviate symptoms and improves the relationship. Family counseling is when the client brings in at least one other family member to resolve problems that will help the client feel better. Whether you call it family counseling or marriage counseling, getting problems resolved where you feel better mentally and emotionally is essential.

Just like anything beneficial, marriage or couples counseling involves hard work. You need to approach it with a realistic and positive attitude. You get what you put into your sessions. Participation is important as it means the willingness to learn new, productive habits and unlearn unhealthy ones. The road to change is difficult, but everything is worth your effort.

Seeking Counseling Together as a Couple

The process works best if both partners participate in the counseling sessions. It’s a chance for couples to gain a new perspective of their relationship guided by someone with skills and training. As counseling progresses, couples are able to learn and use ways to overcome problems and face the future with positive expectations together.

In some cases, a partner may be reluctant to seek counseling even if it’s essential to save their relationship. While not ideal, you can proceed with counseling alone and begin to address your relationship distress yourself. A competent therapist will be able to provide useful ideas about improving your relationship by helping you process your feelings and communicate more effectively. As you begin to make positive changes, your partner may begin to see the benefits and later agree to enter therapy with you.

Benefiting from Counseling

Whether or not your partner agrees to go with you, deciding to get marriage or couples counseling is an indication that you are willing to do the work to improve your relationship. Carolina Counseling Services – Fuquay-Varina, NC contracts with skilled, licensed counselors and therapists who can help. 

Don’t wait for things to become unmanageable, start getting the support you deserve now. Call CCS today to schedule your first appointment. Online counseling and in person sessions are available.

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• The Recipe for a Marriage that Lasts
• Marriage Counseling: Seven Reasons to Seek It Out
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