13 May 2018
 Categories: , Blog

Many relationships go through difficult phases that can leave people feeling frustrated, upset, and not close to their partner. There is no reason to continue feeling bitter and resentful -- couples counseling can be highly effective, and a good couples counselor can help you and your partner restore your relationship. Some of the main benefits of effective couples counseling include the following.

1. Create a Different View of the Relationship

It is not uncommon for people in a troubled relationship to only view the relationship from their own prospective. This way of thinking prevents problems from being solved and often leads to a lot of blame and the inability for either partner to see things through the other's eyes. A couples counselor will help both parties see the relationship more objectively, making it easier for both people to understand what the underlying problems are and how they are contributing to them.

2. Changes Dysfunctional Behavior

In many troubled relationships, conflict can escalate quickly, leading to arguments and fighting. A good couples counselor will teach the people in a relationship some techniques to de-escalate a situation before a conflict becomes a full-blown fight. This requires both parties to change their dysfunctional behavior and learn new ways to deal with issues that arise in their relationship.

3. Improve Communication Between Partners

Poor communication is at the heart of many relationships that are having problems. When a couple can't communicate effectively with each other, it is difficult for the relationship to grow to its full potential. Some couples have problems with name calling or ridiculing each other; a couples counselor can teach new communication methods in order to eliminate these types of issues. Learning how to properly communicate in a relationship is one of the keys of couples counseling and these communication methods can be used for many years after counseling ends.

4. Take Away Emotional Avoidance

When a person does not feel valued and safe in a relationship, he or she may avoid sharing his or her feelings and thoughts with his or her partner, which can cause a couple to grow apart. During couples counseling, the counselor will work with a couple to help both parties feel comfortable sharing their thoughts. Taking away emotional avoidance helps a couple reconnect and promotes intimacy, which is an important aspect of a healthy relationship.

5. Point Out Strengths 

While a lot of couples counseling focuses on the problems that a couple is having, a counselor will also point out the strengths of the relationship as well as the strengths of each individual. This helps a couple think about the good things in their relationship and can help a couple want to work harder to fix their relationship. 

For more information, contact your local couples counseling services.