It’s scary to say, “Honey let’s go therapy,” when your partner thinks everything is fine. They may be right. Your relationship might be going well, and you are happy. But that shouldn’t prevent you from taking care of yourself and your marriage by treating couples therapy as you would your annual doctor’s checkup.
Therapy is for everyone, as people thrive better with the support of others and professionals in particular. You don’t need to be ill to seek help.
In an ideal situation, you and your partner would create a united front. However, trouble can occur at home more quickly than anywhere else. This spills over into other areas of life. A happy relationship can help both partners flourish. You don’t have to give reasons for couples therapy. It can help you overcome the stigma of seeking help. Your relationship is a huge part of your happiness and overall well-being.
You want a relationship that looks like it jumped off the screen. What’s that? You can fall in love easily, but it takes TLC to keep that relationship going. Even if your partner and you are happy and have no urgent life changes, it makes sense to establish a relationship with a therapist, even when neither of you is sick. It’s a great feeling to know that you have a support network in place if there are any problems. But it’s not just about the benefits. You can also gain from the following:
There are six benefits to seeking therapy with your partner today
You will get into positive practice
Even if you’re not sick, you probably visit your doctor at least one time a year. Why? I feel bothered when you change. Early detection of physical health problems can save on long-term care and spare you unnecessary suffering.
It’s no different for your mental health. New pressures constantly influence your relationship dynamics. You can alter the way you communicate and how you see each other over time. It’s up to you whether they strengthen or weaken your bond. But having an outsider’s perspective can be helpful.
Dr. Cahalane, senior manager for integrated clinics and community relations at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital: “You do not have to be suffering from a severe psychiatric condition to benefit from therapy. People who are unhappy in their relationships or feel’stuck’ can greatly benefit from a few sessions.”
It’s not necessary to wait for relationship dissatisfaction to turn into dangerous emotions such as resentment or contempt, which can destroy a partnership. You may be going through a major transition in your life, like a move or the birth of children. It’s important to have a neutral third party oversee the process so that both parties feel validated.
Stopping small issues and resentment in their tracks is the best way to stop them.
Resentment and disrespect are the two emotions that harm relationships most. When couples cannot agree on how to solve a problem together, resentment can build. One person may compromise to avoid causing a stir. The anger that is stoked by “going along with the flow” and ignoring an issue can fester under the surface. Over time, resentments may turn into contempt as you start to view your partner negatively.
For instance, mismatched sex is a common issue between partners. You might find that your bedroom life has become boring, but you don’t want to upset your partner. Over time, however, you may begin to feel like you are missing out on an essential part of your life. Your eye might start wandering, or repeated rejections could make you lash out at your partner in other ways, like sarcasm or passive-aggressiveness.
Couples therapy can be a neutral place to reach a compromise that you and your partner both agree on. The solution that you and your partner come up with may differ, but discussing it openly prevents the problem from becoming worse.
Negative feelings can be dealt with before they become a problem
You may feel vaguely negative towards your partner without knowing why. Money, for example, is a common cause of marriage problems. It’s also a major factor in divorces. Imagine this: you and your partner both have a lot of money in the bank. But they never knew what it was like to be poor. You had to struggle and still carry the trauma of poverty.
It’s possible that you don’t realize the reason why you are angry when your spouse purchases a gaming console despite having a lot of money in their bank account. You may even ask yourself, “Why am I mad?” It’s not your fault. This theme can arise in a variety of situations. Money is only one.
Get tips on how to work together and improve your lives
Everyone has moments when they don’t really know what to do. You might receive a job with a much higher salary, but you would have to move. Two heads are always better than one. However, sometimes, you need a third party’s objective opinion to determine the best course of action.
One of the best reasons to attend couples therapy is that you don’t have any problems. You can improve your relationship with the advice you get. It’s easier to work together when everything is going smoothly. In couples therapy, you’ll learn valuable skills and tools to help make decisions that many couples have to face when navigating life’s challenges. These include tips for open communication and conflict resolution. You’ll also be able to identify each other’s Love Languages.
Your bond will be strengthened, and your mutual appreciation will grow.
Life intervenes over time between partners. The initial excitement of falling into a love relationship can turn into a daily routine, which may make it feel more like a situation rather than a real relationship. This feeling is perfectly normal, but it’s important to address as it can lead to temptations that threaten your relationship.
Good therapists will provide exercises that can strengthen your relationship and increase your appreciation for one another. You could, for example, read passages that have a special meaning together or create a gratitude journal to record all the things you appreciate about each other. You can do this without a therapist, but a third-party neutral can help guide the conversation. For example, they can coach you on how to ask follow-up questions that show you are listening and want more information from your partner.
You will confront the stigma surrounding mental health
Change only happens when you take action. Even though saying that “the stigma around therapy is wrong” can be helpful, it’s more effective to show positive behavior. How can you achieve this? Counsel you and your partner now before things go bad.
They will start to do the same when they see their family and friends treating therapy like a regular physical checkup with their doctor. When they see you and your partner happy together, they’ll join the bandwagon. You don’t need a reason to go for couples therapy. You can improve your bond and make your relationship more enjoyable by seeking help.
