How Relationship Counseling Could Help You

The focus of relationship counseling is to assist you and your spouse in improving the relationship you share. Seeking help to reestablish your relationship as a couple is helpful at any stage of your life together. The trials of life can bring hindrances to sharing the intimacy that used to come so easily to you both.

The therapists in our office will use methods that integrate techniques from different forms of therapy that will best suit your unique situation.

Techniques useful to relationship counseling.

Below are listed some of the steps that a therapist may use during any given session:

Looking at solutions.

Coming to the point where both you and your partner resolve outstanding issues, correct negative behaviors, and importantly, focus on positive aspects of the relationship is something your therapist will work toward.

Looking back.

Looking at the past with the benefit of hindsight can get you and your partner to a place where you understand what you fear, what motivates you, and how you behave in a relationship. Understanding your past will help you resolve present conflicts.

Naming feelings.

It is useful to understand and discuss feelings by first identifying them and putting them into words. The therapist will often facilitate a time when this is done.

Understanding the context.

By coming to know both you and your partner and creating the environment to help you and your partner understand each other better, the therapist will bring a sense of safety to your counseling time together.

Coaching.

The therapist will work to coach you and your partner in various types of relationship skills, such as how to manage anger, solve problems, and resolve conflicts. This is to help both you and your partner have the tools on hand to help you deal with roadblocks to relationship intimacy as they crop up.

Why relationship counseling is helpful.

A key benefit to relationship counseling is that it is intended to allow both you and your partner to discuss different elements of the relationship you share. These may include:

Children.

Not being on the same page when it comes to whether or not to have children, or how they should best be raised is a difficult space to be in. Relationship therapy can help you communicate your concerns.

Family relationships.

There are often issues linked to conflicts with other family members, whether they are parents, children, or siblings. Relationship counseling can assist in understanding and dealing with these as well.

Health.

Illnesses that you or your partner experience, whether they are physical or mental, can be difficult to process in a relationship.

Intimacy.

Any issues that are linked to sharing intimate moments with your spouse are important to name, discuss, and deal with in the context of relationship counseling.

Money.

Finances are a common source of conflict and relationship counseling can establish open conversations and transparency around income and spending habits.

Quality time.

Are there issues that seem to destroy the time you and your partner want to enjoy together? Relationship counseling allows you to discuss these as well as activities you may both enjoy sharing.

Relationship roles.

What is the role that you and your partner hold in the relationship? Relationship counseling can help you to notice unhealthy elements and properly manage expectations.

Stress points outside of the relationship.

Relationship counseling can assist both you and your partner in dealing with the stress caused by external factors that may place stress on your relationship, such as work.

Get started with relationship counseling.

If you feel your relationship may benefit from relationship counseling, then chat about it with your spouse and see if they will consider it. If they reject the idea then explain your thinking of how it may help the relationship you share, and why this is important.

Next, you will need to find a practitioner. Remember that relationship counseling is often provided by licensed therapists known as marriage and family therapists. Then see which days work for both you and your spouse to attend and go ahead and book an appointment.

Take a moment to reflect on your decision.

Deciding on whether to begin relationship counseling is a choice that can significantly influence how you and your spouse relate. If you are looking for advice and guidance on your most significant relationship, then please browse our online counselor directory or contact our office at Culver City Christian Counseling in California to schedule an appointment. We would be honored to walk with you on this journey.