When to go to Couples Counseling

Most couples go to therapy when they start having the same fight over and over again.
They may feel stuck in finding a resolution or have tried to compromise to no avail. With
marriage therapy, couples can learn to resolve their issues, communicate better, and
hopefully, reignite the spark that once burned for their love of one another. If you or your
spouse has gotten to a point in your relationship where you no longer care enough to
fight or argue, couple counseling might be necessary.

But when is the right time to seek couples counseling? Below is a list of critical times in
any relationship when you may find yourselves at a crossroads.

• Escalating conflict and unhealthy communication habits.
• Emotional distance and loneliness.
• Communication leads to fighting.
• Your partner is keeping secrets or lying to you.
• Falling out of love.
• Trust and commitment issues.
• Feeling indifferent towards your partner.
• Feeling unsupported and emotionally dismissed or having difficulty with opening up emotionally.
• The presence of past traumas showing up in the relationship.
• Sexual intimacy is practically non-existent, there is a lack of desire, and/or it’s rarely talked about.
• Feeling like you’re not getting what you need.
• Difficulties with in-laws, friendships, work, or life stressors, including health issues.
• Abuse, affairs, or addiction.
• Managing different parenting styles that can lead to conflict.
• Untreated anxiety and depression issues complicate things in the relationship.

The key is understanding that every long-term relationship or marriage takes a
substantial amount of work and dedication on both sides. When you’re in a committed
relationship, your life is no longer just about you. You and your spouse become a single
entity that thrives on giving and receiving.
A good place to start finding the right couples counselor is word of mouth, your local
church, or asking a health care provider. You want to find a therapist who specializes in
couples work. Couples therapy is a specialty and takes training and commitment on the
part of the therapist.

Couplestrong Collaborator: Jenny A. Mannion, LMHC

JennyMannionLMHC.com