The Importance Of Couples Counseling: Benefits, Myths, And Misconceptions
Marriage counseling is, at its heart, the process of exploring and overcoming what lies at the heart of conflicts within a relationship. It focuses on communication, teamwork, and problem solving to help a relationship heal so it can grow deeper and more meaningful.
In this piece, we’ll cover the many benefits of couples counseling Lakewood and dispel some common myths.
Benefits of Couples Counseling
There are many ways marriage counseling helps a relationship, and the more invested you each are in doing the work, the more likely it is you’ll reap these rewards.
Get an Objective Viewpoint
A good relationship therapist is a trusted sounding board and confidante. Counselors listen to each person’s perspective and problems and offer impartial feedback. Your therapist isn’t invested in any particular outcome other than a healthy relationship, so you can trust their advice and observations to be unbiased and objective.
Sometimes all a couple needs is an outside perspective that’s free from the baggage that comes with a long shared history.
A Space for Both Partners
Even within a committed relationship, people can struggle to make themselves vulnerable. An objective party can navigate conflicts while setting and enforcing boundaries. Couples counselors can observe conversations and intervene before disagreements escalate into full-blown arguments.
Learn to Problem Solve Together
Marriage therapy focuses on communication and teamwork so you can work more productively to overcome disagreements. Most therapeutic techniques focus on a number of communication-improving exercises and coping mechanisms so couples have the tools necessary to solve relationship problems before they grow out of control and cause lasting damage.
Build Trust and Connection
Therapists act as independent arbitrators who help hold spouses accountable to their partners and follow through on commitments made during therapy sessions. Following through and doing what you say you will do creates a foundation of trust that allows your connection to your partner to grow deeper and more meaningful.
Misconceptions About Couples Therapy
Despite the numerous benefits, some people refuse to attend couples counseling in Lakewood due to widespread myths and misconceptions.
Counseling is a Sign of Failure
Unfortunately, there’s a pervasive viewpoint that going to marriage therapy means your relationship has somehow failed. Instead, view agreeing to attend counseling sessions as a commitment to the continued strength and success of your relationship. It’s a sign that you value your marriage and spouse and are prioritizing them in your life
Marriage Therapy Only Helps Women
One of the most widely believed myths is that marriage therapy somehow only benefits women and that therapists take their side against men. The fact is everyone can benefit from therapy regardless of gender, race, religion, or upbringing.
Counselors are professionally committed to being an objective external third party. Their objectivity will help uncover relationship insights that benefit both partners. Plus, improved communication and problem-solving skills bring benefits to all facets of a person’s life, not just their marriage.
Only Marriages in Crisis Need Counselors
Many buy into the stigma that couples counseling is only for relationships going through something “bad enough” to warrant it. However, therapy will help a relationship no matter what stage it’s in – you don’t need to wait until someone lies, cheats, or otherwise betrays their partner to enlist the help of a neutral sounding board.
In the end, couples counseling isn’t just about solving specific problems or moving past a singular issue. Therapy is designed to give participant valuable tools to improve their overall communication to strengthen their relationship while building trust and deepening their connection. Couples of all lengths can benefit from these tools and find their relationships greatly improved through marriage therapy.
