5 Reasons to Seek Marriage Counseling

It is no surprise that the rates of successful marriages are on the decline. It is true that over 50% of first marriages end up in a divorce, and it has been true since over 30 years. However, divorces take a huge toll on a family and isn’t as easy as it may look to an outsider. It causes great difficulties for the adults, as well as children or parents of the adults. It is, truly, one of the most stressful life events.

While divorce may be the only way to go for some people, others may wish to consult a relationship advisor to try to save what may be left in the relationship. Every couple faces turmoil and issues and they may blow out of proportion sometimes which may cause them to think unclearly. This is when marriage counseling may help them overcome or resolve their problems. Below are five reasons a couple may seek marriage counseling.

1.     Negative Communication - Once a couple has entered a zone that neglects respectful communication, it is difficult to go back to a normal level of functionality. The tone of conversation is very important for a couple, for communication is the primary basis of any relationship, and if that is affected then it will definitely seep into how a couple feels about each other. A marriage and family therapist will help you and your partner communicate in a healthy manner.

2.     Extra-Marital Affairs - It is very difficult for a couple to overcome an affair – but it is not impossible. If a couple is ready to commit to one another and are willing to forgive each other for the mistakes they have made, a marriage can be saved. A relationship advisor will help you and your partner evaluate your relationship and help your bond recover.

3.     Unresolved Differences - It is advisable for a couple to resolve differences as they come. Ignoring discrepancies or overlooking gaps in the relationship will only cause the cracks to seep deeper and give birth to bigger, complex problems. If you and your partner know what’s wrong but don’t know how to fix those problems, this is the correct time to consider marriage counseling.

4.     Acting Out/Overreacting - It is evident that when someone feels something on the inside, it manifests with their behaviour on the outside. Masking these feelings so as to avoid your partner feeling bad will only make you unhappy. This isn’t fair to yourself. This will also cause you and your partner to act out when unnecessary. A marriage and family therapist can help a couple sort out and talk about negative feelings and find healthy and happier ways to express them as well as resolve them.

5.     Staying together just for your children - Sometimes couples stay together beyond a point they can just for their children. Parents do not realize that children growing up with parents that share an unhealthy bond affect them and may cause them to develop unhealthy behaviours and cognitions themselves. Children should not be a deciding factor for a couple to decide whether or not they want to be together. Children are most often intelligent and can understand if their parents cannot be together. Marriage counseling can help you resolve this as well.