How do you know when it is time to seek couples therapy? This is a question that many people ask themselves, but the answer varies depending on the couple. There are some universal signs that can help you make your decision with ease.
While it may not be easy to admit that you and your significant other need help from a professional, it can be well worth it in the end. When you begin looking for therapists, keep these tips in mind:
It's important to establish rapport early on in therapy. Find a therapist who has experience working with couples and relationships and if you have specific issues you want to address you may want to ensure they have experience working with these issues. This can help ensure that the therapy process goes as smoothly as possible from start to finish.
If you are able to establish a good connection with your therapist, it will be easier for both of you to feel comfortable talking about personal issues in the relationship. You want to make sure that you can trust your therapist and that they have your best interests at heart. It's important to find someone who is professional and understanding while also being empathetic towards your situation.
You may want to set up a free consultation call with prospective therapists to ask about their experience and what to expect from the process.
Some signs that you may need to work with a professional include:
- Your relationship has become toxic.
- One or both people in the relationship are cheating on one another.
- You feel like you are losing yourself, and your partner no longer appreciates who you are as an individual.
- You find yourself arguing more frequently than usual and even when you don't argue it is hard to get along.
- The stress of being in a relationship is causing you undue amounts of anxiety and/or depression.
- You and your partner can't seem to agree on how to handle certain issues.
- There is a communication gap that you can't seem to close, no matter how hard you try.
In many cases, it's best if both partners are present during therapy sessions. However, there are some situations where one person may need more attention than the other and this will be discussed with your therapist. In addition to working with your partner, couples therapy will help you gain a new perspective on yourself. You will learn to understand how your own triggers in relationship distress can lead to certain reactions that make your partner feel more pushed away which triggers their own protective response leading you both to feeling stuck in a dysfunctional cycle. You will learn how to identify and manage your feelings and actions in a healthy way so you can get back on track with your relationship.
If you feel like there is something wrong with your relationship, don't wait until it's too late! It's always better to seek help as soon as possible. The sooner you begin therapy, the faster you will be able to overcome your problems together. At Simcoe County Psychotherapy, all of our therapists are trained in couples therapy and we treat your relationship as the client so you can finally move forward in a lasting way.
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