Couples Counseling & Why You Should Consider It

If you clicked on this post, chances are you are either googling counseling and your relationship might be on the rocks. Therapy in general is something many of us "think we don't need." The stigma that therapy is only for people with deep rooted issues, but that's so not the case. Many different people seek counseling for a plethora of things; childhood trauma, grief, depression, and anxiety are just a handful of issues people seek out therapy for. Sadly, the issues we have from childhood or past relationships can be carried into our next relationship - that is - if we don't address them. So, if you are in a relationship and you feel like you can benefit from counseling, please consider it. I will tell you why...

Let me give you an example. Let's say the last partner you had cheated on you, really badly. You entered a really bad depression. Since then, you vowed to never let another person get you like that ever again. That was the worst feeling ever imagined. Now, you are in a new relationship and worried about whether or not your partner is going to cheat. This causes a really bad strain on your relationship resulting in arguments and a lot of insecurities. Point is, if you don't address the past, it will follow you to your future. You're probably thinking, "well, this sounds like a personal problem" and "if my partner is worried about me cheating on them then they need to address that themselves." It doesn't have to be an individual journey they go through alone. In fact, I truly believe both partners could really benefit from attending counseling together. This way, each person knows how to help the other overcome whatever insecurities they might have. It isn't a one way street when it comes to a partnership. Counseling will assist in both of you learning more about each other and possibly healing old wounds you didn't even know you had.

Maybe cheating isn't the issue. Maybe you feel like your partner doesn't understand you at times. A relationship counselor can help navigate through those emotions. Now, I will admit that it can be tough when one person wants to get therapy, and the other is a little apprehensive about it. In this case, it's going to take some real conversations in order to persuade the other to actually attend. I would really focus on letting them know that this is beneficial for the both of you, and that if this relationship is something that is important to them, then this is the best route to go.

Instead of seeking advice from friends or family, who sometimes will not have nice things to say about your relationship, discussing issues with your counselor can give you a non-biased opinion. Sometimes all we need is someone to listen. I don't know how many times I think about how many relationships of mine could have been saved if we had just gone to get help. Who knows where we could have been if we both had considered going. Don't let that be you. If this is a relationship worth fixing, please research someone who can help you.