6 Key Benefits of Couples Counseling
Does it feel like you and your partner keep having the same fights? Are you increasingly feeling frustrated, resentful, or distant from one another? Does it sometimes seem like you’re at a standstill- and you aren’t sure how to move forward?
There are no perfect relationships, and it’s normal to struggle sometimes. However, one of the main benefits of couples counseling is that you and your partner can learn healthy ways to manage these issues when they arise. Let’s get into how this therapy can help you.
Increase Insight Into Each Other’s Lives
We often judge or attack what we can’t understand.
In other words, people tend to make quick assumptions about someone else’s behavior, even when they don’t have the full story. Unfortunately, whether you realize it or not, this insidious pattern may play out in your relationship.
Let’s say you felt hurt and angry after your partner dismissed your feelings. But, after talking it out, you realize that your partner had a terrible day at work and was feeling extremely distracted during your conversation. While this explanation may not change how you feel, it can provide a holistic perspective into your dynamic.
Couples therapy inherently teaches you more about your partner. As you gain more awareness about their behavior, motives, and patterns, you may also gain more empathy and compassion for who they are as a person.
Set Better Boundaries
Do you often placate your partner just to avoid an argument? Do you withhold sharing how you genuinely feel because you don’t want to hurt their feelings? Do either of you struggle with jealous or possessive behaviors?
Healthy boundaries are essential for ensuring safe limits between people. But boundaries can be complicated, especially if either of you has histories of trauma, low self-esteem, or previous patterns of abusive relationships.
Learn Healthier Communication
Dr. John Gottman, a leading pioneer and scientist, has spent years researching what makes couples stay together or end things altogether. His comprehensive studies show that criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling are the four most significant detriments to a relationship.
Poor communication can be a detriment to the well-being of your relationship. However, the opposite is also true. Improving how you talk to one another can salvage your connection and harness a deeper sense of intimacy.
Unfortunately, many couples resort to unhealthy tactics like passive aggression, silent treatment, or criticism to try to meet their own needs. Often, these tactics come from a place of survival- you may have learned them early in life and didn’t realize how damaging they could be.
In couples therapy, you will learn healthier strategies for sharing your feelings. In addition, you will practice assertive communication, which allows you to express yourself maturely.
Navigate Serious Life Transitions
Whether it’s planning for marriage, being pregnant with your first child, or quitting a job, these significant milestones can place excess stress on a relationship. If you already feel disconnected, such stressors often make things feel worse.
You and your partner will need to use healthy coping skills to adjust to the change. Ideally, you will want to lean on each other to navigate the uncharted territory.
Couples therapy can be a great starting point. Together, you will discuss any triggers associated with such changes. You will also learn how to stay united as a team- rather than as opponents- in braving the new situation together.
Improve Sex and Intimacy
Do you feel physically connected and attracted to one another? Are you satisfied sexually?
It’s no secret that relationship problems often show up in the bedroom. Similarly, bedroom problems can exacerbate relationship dissatisfaction.
Intimacy isn’t just about sex. It’s about enhancing vulnerability, connection, and trust. These factors represent the core foundation of any healthy relationship, and couples therapy can help you address the barriers hindering them.
Prepare for Marriage
Couples counseling isn’t just a last resort when things feel like they’re at a breaking point. Many couples benefit from a regular tune-up even when things are seemingly going well.
If you’re about to tie the knot, therapy may be one of the best gifts you give yourself. Research shows that couples who engage in premarital counseling have a 30% increase in marital happiness compared to those who don’t receive such services.
Premarital counseling can help you and your partner address your values, prepare for any changes associated with cohabiting, and practice healthy conflict resolution.
Final Thoughts on the Benefits of Couples Counseling
Dating and marriage can be undoubtedly hard. Love feels good, but that doesn’t mean we always know how to care for our most important relationships.
The benefits of couples counseling are vast, and this therapy can help you and your partner feel more connected and aligned with moving forward together. At Willow Counseling, we believe you deserve a meaningful, enjoyable relationship. If you are struggling, contact us today to schedule your free, initial consultation.
Willow Counseling, PLLC – Nashville, TN
Willow Counseling, PLLC exists to provide quality trauma-informed mental health counseling to the Nashville community, recognizing the interconnectedness of our emotional, spiritual and physical selves. We work together to alleviate symptoms, learn better coping skills, relieve burdens, remove the pain of trauma, and so much more. However, our greatest desire is for you to know what it means to feel purpose and joy again and to recognize the strength and worth you have to offer the world.
