Couples Counselling: Here’s Why People Are Reaching Out Now

Relationships are a key part of life and increase our sense of meaning and purpose. If our primary relationship is not satisfying, is under threat or is a source of frustration, then we have a greater tendency to feel more stressed, lonely, sad, anxious, empty, angry and tired.  Depression, anxiety and physical health have all been shown to be correlated with the health of our connection with others.  

When it comes to our romantic relationship with our significant other, if or when we hit trouble, we often wait until our relationship is hanging by a thread before we seek professional help. Why is this? If it was cancer we wouldn’t wait until it was in its final stage. We’d be embracing treatment as soon as possible to ensure the best chance of survival. This is what couples need – early intervention – with the best outcomes being shown for those couples who seek support earlier than later. So don’t delay! There are many reasons why couples counselling is beneficial. Here are just a few reasons why people reach out for the support of a couples therapist:

Early Relationship and Premarital Counselling

Couples counselling can help couples in their early years of their relationship learn to recognise and understand the tools and strategies behind building a healthy, supportive and flourishing relationship right from the get go. This is much easier than fixing bad habits after they have developed and become entrenched. Research indicates that individuals who take part in premarital counselling report greater marital satisfaction than those who do not do premarital counselling.

Communication Breakdown

Do you find you and your partner arguing, not listening, or not wanting to talk to each other? Relationship therapists assist couples in identifying their communication styles and help them identify why these patterns are not working in their relationship. Therapy can help assist couples build a better communication style and create a healthier connection.

When Trust is Broken or Undeveloped

Trust is a vital component in any healthy relationship. A violation of trust leads to insecurity, instability, hypervigilance, anxiety and unhappiness. Relationship therapy helps couples re-develop a sense of emotional safety and strengthen practices that repair and re-establish a healthy connection.

Life Transitions

Major life changes, busyness and times of transition can change how we relate to each other. At times we can find ourselves feeling more like a “house mate” or “business partner” than a soul mate. The emotional connection, the fun, the laughter and the intimacy you once shared with your partner may have declined with busy routines around kids, work schedules and other commitments. A therapist can assist with identifying the pattern of disconnection, address the feelings of blame and guilt, and implement strategies to develop ways to understand the emotional needs and values required to rebuild a more satisfying and healthy connection.

Sexual Difficulties

Sexual difficulties in relationships can cause major stress, anxiety and frustrations. A relationship therapist helps couples identify the many factors which contribute towards a lack of desire and/or difficulty, and focus on strategies to assist with rebuilding confidence, to build healthier emotional and intimacy patterns, and to help restore the connection that they once enjoyed.

With so many benefits of couples therapy, what are you waiting for? Reach out today!