Not every marriage or relationship is perfect. Each person brings his or her own ideas, values, opinions, and personal history. Sometimes, specific issues like an extramarital affair or loss of sexual attraction, finances, cultural clashes, substance abuse, anger, and communication problems can cause conflicts.

No matter what the cause, conflict in a relationship can lead to stress, sadness, worry, fear, and other problems. To manage this, couples can turn to marriage counseling to strengthen their relationship and make thought-out decisions.

What is Marriage Counseling?

Marriage counseling is a form of therapy designed to help married couples overcome common issues or problems in their relationship. During counseling sessions, couples work with a trained professional who helps them identify the root causes of their problems, as well as identify strategies for improving communication, managing conflict, and building a stronger, healthier relationship.

Marriage counseling sessions typically involve both partners, although individual sessions may also be scheduled to address issues that one partner is experiencing on their own. Some couples may be hesitant to seek marriage counseling, fearing that it symbolizes failure or indicates that their relationship is beyond repair. However, in reality, marriage counseling can be a highly effective tool for resolving conflicts and strengthening relationships, helping couples to develop the skills and tools that they need to navigate the challenges of married life successfully. With the guidance of a qualified and experienced therapist, couples can learn new ways to communicate, deepen their understanding of one another, and strengthen their bonds, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling and rewarding marriage.

How do you know if you need Marriage Counseling?

One sign is if you and your partner have communication breakdowns. This may manifest as fighting more often, yelling, or the silent treatment. Ineffective communication can lead to misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and resentment, causing a long-term strain on your marriage. Communication is foundational in any relationship, and if there are breakdowns, it may be time to see a marriage counselor.

Another sign is if you and your partner have lost your intimacy. Intimacy is not just about sexual relations, but a deeper connection between two people who are emotionally, mentally, and physically in tune with each other. If there is a lack of physical closeness, hugging, and kissing, or sexual contact has become rare, then it is time to seek counseling. Intimacy, like communication, is integral to a healthy marriage. This can be a highly sensitive issue for both partners, but it is essential to work through it with the help of a marriage counselor. Seeking counsel does not necessarily mean there is something fundamentally wrong with your marriage. Rather, it can help you work through these challenges in a healthier, productive way, ensuring that your relationship remains strong and fulfilling.

Marriage counseling is also an ideal decision if you find yourself or your partner:

  • Frequently fighting or criticizing each other
  • Feeling unheard consistently
  • Having trouble trusting each other
  • Having difficulty expressing your emotional needs
  • Feeling disconnected from each other
  • Considering separation

How does Marriage Counseling Work?

A counselor works with couples to help pinpoint and understand sources of conflict and take further steps to resolve them. You and your partner will be encouraged to analyze both good and bad parts of your relationship.

Marriage counseling can help you learn skills to strengthen your relationship, including problem-solving together, communicating openly, and discussing differences. In cases of mental illness or substance abuse, your marriage counselor can provide you with a wide spectrum of treatment to replace bad habits with good ones.

A professional also assists you in developing tools and skills for anger management, conflict resolution, commitment, and intimacy. Counseling teaches you ways to let go of past betrayals of trust, infidelity-related issues, rehashing affairs, and improve closeness in your relationship.

Get Marriage Counseling to Build a Healthy Relationship

Whether you want to improve one aspect of your relationship (such as better communication) or you are facing frequent conflicts, marriage counseling can be an excellent solution to learn new skills and coping mechanisms.

At Silicon Valley Therapy, we have years of experience dealing in marriage and couples counseling, navigating relationship problems, and overcoming obstacles.

Get started today—call us and learn ways to resolve relationship conflicts.