Why Timing is Everything When it Comes to Marriage Counseling
Seeking help from a relationship counsellor is not unlike seeking help from a mechanic. It makes little sense to take your car into the shop a month after it started making a horrific noise. By that time, too much damage may have been done and your engine may be beyond repair.
By the same token, the effectiveness of marriage counselling is directly related not only to the willingness and motivation of both parties to put in the effort, but also to the timing. The time to consider couples counselling is not when one (or both) people have already thrown in the towel.
For instance, in some relationships, when one or both partners have already decided to end the relationship, they may use as a “safe space” to drop the news on their partner. This is obviously not the best timing to attempt counselling.
Sometimes issues are too ingrained and longstanding for counselling to be truly effective. If a couple has been building up resentment toward one another for five or more years before seeking help, it may be too late. While counselling is a wonderful way to help couples reconnect and heal, it is not a miracle cure.
When and How Marriage Counselling Can Help
It’s important that both individuals truly want the relationship to work. When both parties are willing to invest time and energy, relationship counselling can be the catalyst for real and lasting change.
It is also important that couples choose a therapist who’s a good fit. Both spouses must feel comfortable with the therapist for any progress to be made.
So, how exactly can marriage counselling help? In a number of ways:
- Counsellors help couples identify toxic behavioural patterns and give them tools to make adjustments.
- Each partner can gain new insights and perspective into the relationship.
- Tools help couples resolve conflicts with grace and respect so escalation can be avoided.
- Partners can begin to build trust and improve communication.
If you and your spouse decide to try couples counselling, here are some tips for success:
- Take it seriously. Commit to the work and do it.
- Be open. If you’ve chosen the right therapist, you should feel free and safe to discuss your true feelings and needs. Don’t hold back. In order for therapy to work, both people have to have the courage to be vulnerable.
- Avoid the blame game. Each person must take responsibility for their part.
- Be realistic about how long it will take before real change begins. While you can begin using tools immediately, healing won’t happen overnight.
If you and your partner are experiencing relationship problems, don’t wait to get help. The sooner you do, the more likely your issues can be resolved. If you or a loved one is interested in exploring treatment, please contact me today. I would be happy to speak with you about how I may be able to help.