Relationship Counseling
He said. She said. Pretty soon, what either of you said doesnt matter because all you are doing is fighting. When should you go get relationship counseling?
Relationship counseling is the term for going to a therapist as a couple to work out differences. You can go to a counselor when you are having difficulties in your relationship that might cause you to break up or when you are ready to take the relationship to a new level.
Relationship counseling helps you to open up new lines of communication. The therapist can help you by posing questions, pointing out contradictions, and helping you stay civil as you work out your differences.
Relationships are about compromise, but compromise is difficult. Relationship counseling can be helpful in working out these important compromises that will make your relationship work.
Relationship counseling only works if both parties are willing and able to commit to it. If your motivation is not sincere, you are not likely to get much out of it. While the skill of the therapist is an important factor in determining how successful the counseling is, even the most skilled therapist cannot work miracles with couples who are not thoroughly engaged in the counseling process.
Here is a brief summary of how to get the most out of relationship therapy.
1.) Acknowledge there is a problem. Until both parties are willing to state that there is a problem and that they have the willingness to work at resolving the problem, there is no hope for relationship therapy to succeed.
2.) Be prepared to realize that you are part of the reason there is a problem. Too many times, one partner wants to go into counseling because they perceive that the other partner has a problem. But a relationship is a two way street. Unless you are willing to find out that you have contributed to the problem in big ways and small, you will not have a good therapeutic experience.
3.) Be willing to change. Acknowledging that you are part of the problem isnt on its face enough. You have to be willing to grow and change. The therapist can help you realize how to change, but you have to be willing to do the hard work of implementing the change.
4.) Dont expect the therapist to be a magician. Your therapist cant waive a magic wand and fix your relationship. Counseling is a mechanism for you to solve your problems, but it only works if you work. That is, it is a means for you to do the hard work in your relationship. If you come into relationship counseling with unrealistic expectations, you are bound to be dissatisfied with the results.
5.) Know that it takes time. You wont solve your relationship problems in one session or even five. You have to commit to making counseling work for you, even if it means going for a fair amount of time.
Relationship counseling is a commitment of time, money, and emotional energy. If your relationship is worth saving, relationship counseling may be the answer for you.