We Can Work it Out: Couples Therapy

You Need Help Now

Things haven't been the same between you since your husband confessed he had an affair with his secretary--or maybe because of the way you've maxed out your credit card. No matter the reason, your relationship is on the rocks, you need help and you need it now. There's too much stuff buried inside you and your partner or spouse and it's coming between you in a big way. Marriage counseling can help you understand the issues and help you make rational decisions in a rational manner. What could be bad?


Marriage counseling, or couples therapy, since it works for unmarried couples, too, helps the couple by giving them the tools they need to improve their relationship. Couples learn better communication skills and how to negotiate conflicts and differences. You'll get tips on problem solving and learn a healthier manner of debate.


Most often, it is licensed therapists who provide marriage counseling. Therapy is administered with an emphasis on the couple's relationship. This type of therapy is often short term. A couple may need only a few sessions to get through a specific crisis, but if the marriage or relationship has come to the brink of dissolve, the counseling could take a great deal longer, perhaps months. In general, couples will see a marriage counselor once a week.

Delight in the Contrasts

No relationship is perfect. The individuals in a relationship bring their own set of values and cultural differences into the brew and sometimes there is a clash between some very personal opinions held by the two people in a couple. Therapy can help you bridge the gap and come to greater acceptance and even delight in each other's contrasts.


Sometimes specific issues arise between couples that cause a gradual disintegration of a relationship. Such conflict brings with it stress, anxiety, worry, fear, and despair. Problems need to be addressed because they have a cumulative effect and can lead to a loss of caring and communication. The emotions engendered by a problematic relationship can impact on your job performance, your health, and your relationships with others, such as friends and relatives. Test your emotional health by taking our stress test: http://www.epigee.org/stress_quiz.html


Some of the issues you might want to bring up during therapy sessions include:


Retirement or other changing roles

Anger management

Infertility

Differences of opinion on parenting

Sexual difficulties

Communication issues

Blended family conflicts

Unemployment

Finances

Culture clashes

Gay relationship issues

Mental or physical health problems

Alcohol or drug abuse

Divorce

Infidelity

Domestic violence

Prenuptial counseling

 

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