Lifeworks in Dallas and Carrolton, Texas is dedicated to your counseling needs. Our psychologists are board-certified and at your service for whatever you may need. We understand that there are many reasons married couples decide to seek counseling. Our counseling service provides a supportive environment that allows couples to overcome barriers interfering with their relationship potential. Our therapists individually study and learn each couple to help them find the resolution they are seeking.
In the United States, divorce rates vary with the partners’ level of education, religious beliefs, and even financial status’. For adults, divorce can be one of life’s most stressful life events. The decision to divorce often is met with unsureness and hesitation about the future. While divorce may be necessary and the healthiest choice for some, others may wish to try to rescue whatever is left of the union. When couples encounter problems or issues, they may wonder when it is suitable to seek marriage counseling.
As time goes by, what are some of the signs you should be aware of that you may need counseling? Here are some good reasons to seek marriage counseling:
- First, and foremost, what is communication like? Has it become negative? Once communication has deteriorated, often it is hard to get it going back in the right direction. Negative communication can include anything that leaves one partner feeling depressed, insecure, disregarded, or wanting to withdraw from the conversation. This includes the tone of the conversation. It is important to remember that it’s not always what you say, but how you say it. Negative communication can also include any communication that not only leads to hurt feelings, but emotional or physical abuse, as well as nonverbal communication.
- Has someone in the relationship had an affair? Recovering from an affair is not impossible, but it takes a lot of work. It takes commitment and a willingness to forgive and move forward. There is no magic formula for recovering from an affair. But if both individuals are committed to the therapy process and are being honest, the marriage may be salvaged. At the very least, it may be determined that it is healthier for both individuals to move on.
- Have you become roommates? When couples become more like roommates than a married couple, this may indicate a need for counseling. This does not mean if the couple isn’t doing everything together they are in trouble.
- Are you having trouble figuring out your differences? If a couple is stuck, a skilled clinician may be able to get them moving in the right direction.
- Are the negative feelings towards your partner turning into words or actions? I believe what we feel on the inside shows on the outside. Even if we are able to mask these feelings for a while, they are bound to surface. Negative feelings such as resentment or disappointment can turn into hurtful, sometimes harmful behaviors. A skilled clinician can help the couple sort out negative feelings and find better ways to express them.
- Is divorce seeming like the only resolution to your problems? When a couple disagrees, or argues, a break often is very helpful. However, when a timeout turns into an overnight stay away from home or eventually leads to a temporary separation, this may specify a need for counseling. Spending time away from home does not usually resolve the situation. Instead, it strengthens the thought that time away is helpful, often leading to more absences. When the absent partner returns, the problem is still there, but often circumvented because the time has passed.
Couples therapy began way back in the 1930s. With eight decades of learning, we believe we may have some answers for you. If you are interested in learning more about our marriage counseling, , then contact us today. Our therapists at Lifeworks will help navigate you and your partner or spouse to learning communication skills to effectively express your emotions.