When a marriage combines families, its an adjustment to say the least. Many families and couples enter marriage counseling during this transitional phase. And in day where divorce is still a common option between married couples, more and more families are needing to learn the skills to integrate well.
Many difficulties can arise - [...]
Often the mere thought that your marriage may be in trouble is enough of an indicator that its time to look for a couples counselor. Perhaps you’ve been picking up some of the signs - nobody knows your marriage as well as you and your partner - but it hasn’t been voiced yet. Or contrarily, [...]
For some couples, even the talk of marriage counseling can be a pivotal moment.
Listen to what Tina had to say:
I didn’t know what to say to Sam but I knew something had to be done. Our marriage was obviously falling apart. I didn’t know where to turn. One of the priests at our church [...]
When Frank and Lisa entered the office of their new couples counselor, it was evident they were both quite anxious. Not so much to sit before a marriage counselor, but they feared the worst: their marriage was over. Frank shared with the counselor the many ways he’s been working on his marriage, trying almost too [...]
When there is a breech of trust in a relationship or marriage, couples counseling is often sought out as a way to rectify it. It’s not an easy path - it can often be a long journey that takes times - but its possible when certain guidelines are followed.
A lack of trust can be [...]
Lea and Hank sat down before the couples counselor visibly upset. Both had entered counseling because a seemingly small problem had become increasingly large in their household. This problem? Housework. Specifically the dishes.
According to Lea:
I feel ridiculous spending money on a counselor right now. I mean, for something like dirty dishes. But I feel [...]
The first year of a marriage can be a challenging and exciting time. Many couples assume that their new marriage will simply be an extension of their dating experience. These same couples are often met with confusion, anxiety and surprise when it doesn’t turn out that way. Hence why couples counseling is such a resource [...]
Clint and Searah were as different as two people could be. Their families were shocked when the two decided to marry…and not surprised that they were seeking couples counseling only months after their marriage.
Clint was a trial lawyer, a staunch Republican and a “control freak” according to Searah. Searah on the other hand was [...]
In this busy day and age, its often difficult to make the time for couples counseling let alone recognize the signs that you may really need it. Who has time to make for another appointment throughout an already stressful, packed week? And do you really need it? Maybe you’re not talking to your spouse that [...]
As we delve deeper into the ways to communicate in a more healthy manner, it’s important to remember the difference between explaining the issue at hand to your partner without blaming. Couples counselors often see a high degree of blame in problematic relationships. Blaming is focusing on the person not the issue. It’s also more [...]
Intimacy can seem like an elusive thing. It’s that certain bond or closeness that you share with only your partner. The stronger that bond, the more “lasting power” a relationship has. But like many aspects of a marriage, there is an “ebb and flow” element to it. It’s important to recognize this in order to [...]
When Sid and Sylvia decided to pursue a legal separation, their first concern was their children - 10 and 6. They decided to see a family counselor in order to make the transition as smooth as possible. It wasn’t easy. The oldest son was acting out at school lately, getting in fights and cheating on [...]
Often couples counselors see their fair share of seemingly petty problems when couples sit before them. Of course, these problems are not petty to the couple and most often, these issues represent bigger underlying themes. This was the case with Betsy and Jason, a young couple married 5 years living in the suburbs.
According to Jason:
She’s [...]
Many couples who enter counseling are concerned about their frequency of arguing in their marriage. And while arguing can obviously be a sign of marital distress that needs professionally addressed, it can also be a way to “clean house” when done properly.
There are no absolutes - just because it feels uncomfortable to argue doesn’t [...]
Many couples are interested in marriage counseling but don’t know the first thing about it. Because of this lack of knowledge, they avoid it, afraid of what might happen. Terms like “head shrinking” don’t help us much either, conjuring up a local witch doctor, shaking rattles around your head (nothing against witch doctors - they [...]
Lyle and Janet had been married 17 years prior to their first couples counseling appointment, though Lyle had wished they had come much earlier, especially due the success and short duration of their time with their therapist.
Lyle had been complaining for many years that Janet had given up the ability to think on her [...]
When Mark and Marcia entered couples counseling, it had been the second time they had seen the same counselor. They had been married for 14 years and were in need of some guidance or a “refresher course” as Mark put it.
Mark and Marcia never had the easiest marriage. They do not have a lot [...]
Sandra saw her husband’s anger problems escalating over the last few years and insisted they seek marital counseling as quickly as possible. Frank is a cop, with over 15 years in the force. His temperament was often sporadic but manageable. Recently Frank received a promotion which entailed longer hours at work. Soon, his anger issues [...]
Most of don’t think much about our communication skills. We all assume that we learned them a long time ago and now they’re firmly in place, just where we need them to be. We don’t think of them as a skill that occasionally needs sharpened or fine-tuned. But communication skills are comprehensive acts that need [...]
When Sam became experiencing signs of midlife crisis, he almost couldn’t believe it. He had written several articles on the topic. He was an accomplished therapist himself, specializing in men’s issues - surely he would be able to work around something he knew so much about! His wife Carrie felt differently, hence her suggestion for [...]
When Leisha and Drake sat before a couples counselor, they almost didn’t know where to begin. They had been married to one another before and spend over 4 years divorced. Since that time, they both somehow managed to return to one another romantically, after several failed relationships, even one engagement. They lived in close proximity [...]
Marcia was obviously very nervous during her first couples counseling session with her live-in partner Sam. She had been dealing with anxiety issues for some time. Sam sat there silently, with a very serious look on his face. Sam had three children from a previous marriage and Marcia was having trouble bonding with them.
According to [...]
Many couples will refrain from seeing a couples counselor due to finances. And often those same problematic finances are what’s causing a strain in the marriage. Finances are cited as one of the problematic topics in a marriage.
This is for a number of reasons. First, by the time finances are an issue, both parties [...]
One of the more common problems couples face is the loss of passion or romance in their relationship. This usually happens over an extended period of time though even newly married couples can experience a certain diminishing that causes concern. Couples counselor are experts at focusing on this particular issue.
A loss of passion between two [...]
Stuart and Leah had recently gotten married and were having the time of their lives, traveling and exploring the world and genuinely getting to know one another. When they returned home, after a year of roaming the world, the trouble began. Leah became anxious and worried every time Stuart would leave her side. After a [...]
Finding the right couples counselor for you takes time and patience. Even if you’re in crisis, it’s important to do the needed research in order to find the appropriate therapist. Couples counseling is an investment and you want to make sure you’re on the right track from the beginning.
So what are the ways you know [...]
Ellen and Eddie lived in the Midwest and worked as dairy farmers. They had been married for 21 years. Eddie had always had temperamental outbursts but lately, they had gotten worse. Their financial situation was becoming extremely stressed because their farm wasn’t generating the money it used to. Both were under a substantial amount of [...]
“I didn’t know what to expect at first. I grew up with my dad referring to counselors and psychologists as “head shrinkers”, so I certainly didn’t have a good feeling. But after a session or two, I really started to appreciate it. I realized that it actually, well…it feels good to talk about what’s on [...]
When Harris and Stella visited a couple’s counselor 8 years ago, they were in dire need. Stella was threatening to leave the marriage and had already started legal action. It was everything Harris could do to convince her to attend one session. But both were grateful they did. After a half year’s worth of attendance, [...]
