You and your spouse have been constantly bickering and arguing and you fear your marriage may be going downhill fast. You’ve always heard about relationship counseling from friends and on TV shows, but how effective is it? Does it work? Could it save your marriage?
Like with many other things, it just depends on your circumstances. There are several ways relationship/marriage counseling can benefit you and your spouse and help you work through some of your issues, but whether or not it will preserve your marriage is uncertain.
What Is It?
Relationship and couples counseling are aimed at giving you and your spouse the tools to communicate and work through the challenges of your relationship. Counseling can help couples figure out new and better ways to communicate and help you and your partner break harmful patterns that may be affecting your relationship. A therapist can help you build a stronger foundation for your relationship and guide you through some of your issues.
What To Keep In Mind About Relationship Counseling
If you’ve never experienced relationship counseling, you might not know what to expect. Here are a few things to keep in mind about this process to help you maximize the benefits of the experience.
- In order for this type of counseling to work, both parties need to be involved and dedicated to the process.
- It’s going to take time – relationship counseling does not provide any “easy fixes” for your issues
- Your relationship is the client, not either you or your spouse as individuals – this is time to work through your relationship, not on your own personal issues or your spouse’s.
- Your therapist cannot tell you what to do – they will not tell you whether or not you should end your marriage or give you advice, but then can help you figure things out.
When Is It Time For Divorce?
While marriage counseling can improve your relationship and help you work through some of your issues, there are certain things even a professional therapist cannot do. In some situations, your problems may be more deep-seeded than better communication or problem-solving can fix.
Considering divorce is a serious matter and should be treated as a last-resort. However, in some cases, it is the best option for both parties in a relationship.