Proactively Strengthening Marriage Through the Years

The dream of a happy, rewarding life with your most loved man or woman “till death do you part” is possible, but it will not be easy. Couples in the United States have an “approximately fifty percent chance of divorcing” (American Psychological Association). It takes more than hard work, patience, and love to have a resilient and lasting marriage.

Here is the great news: counseling can help committed couples make their “I do” endure for a lifetime. If you are willing to do what it takes to make your marriage resilient and happy, take matters seriously and seek the help of an unbiased counselor.

All Couples Are Vulnerable

There is nothing in this world that can guarantee you will have an easy time as a couple. Even if you have known each other for a long time or you are friends first and a couple second, your relationship will not be spared from conflict. Since you are two different people, having conflicts is normal, and that makes your relationship vulnerable. If you believe that it is fine to have those conflicts without resolving them, your relationship may start heading downhill.

Unresolved conflict can contribute to your marital issues and put stress on your family. Why bear the brunt of those conflicts and feel miserable when you can proactively address your concerns with the help of a non-judgmental marriage counselor?

Couples Counseling Is for All Couples!

Many couples try to make their relationships work without help. Marriage counseling is normally sought only when the union has reached the stage of crisis or when divorce is being considered as an option. If this is how you think, you need to change that conventional philosophy. Seeing a counselor does not mean you are heading for divorce. Rather, you seek counseling because that (divorce) is exactly what you want to prevent from happening.

Couples counseling can help resolve issues that you are unable to resolve on your own and is very helpful for couples whose relationships are fraught with conflict. In short, marriage counseling is for every couple who wishes to stay committed to an enduring enjoyable marriage.

Good Reasons to See a Counselor

According to Traci Maynigo, MEd, a New York City psychotherapist, it is a great idea to see a marriage counselor when:

  • Either or both of you are undergoing a big life transition or a tough time—demise of a loved one, a stressful job or business, family issues, financial trouble, etc.
  • You have unresolved issues that keep you arguing again and again.
  • You have stopped talking, or your verbal exchanges are not getting through or just causing more conflict. In addition, you may want to resolve your marital issues with a counselor when:
  • Your conflicts are causing you (or your spouse) distress, or contributing to negative emotional conditions (such as anxiety or depression) or a physical ailment.
  • Your conflicts are affecting your children so that they are developing emotional issues as well.
    For positive couples, counseling is a proactive strategy when:
  • You want to learn how to manage your conflicts and stay positive in the way you handle your arguments and differences.
    You want to preserve your love for each other and make your relationship resilient and enduring.

The Emphasis of Couples Counseling

According to psychologist John Gottman, PhD, “The average couple waits 6 years before seeking help for relationship problems. (And keep in mind, half of all marriages that end do so in the first 7 years.) This means the average couple lives with unhappiness for far too long.” A proactive stance is positive; if you value your marriage and your family, seeking counseling early is realistic and makes good sense.

A marriage counselor independently contracted with Carolina Counseling Services (CCS) – Fayetteville, NC, can help you build a resilient and enduring marriage, while helping you resolve the conflict that may be resulting in symptoms of anxiety, depression, etc. With the right independently contracted counselor from CCS, you can work on your marriage to minimize your conflict and its intensity by communicating in a positive, effective way. Regardless of your concerns, a safe and neutral venue can encourage you to express your thoughts.

Worried about money? Don’t be! If you have insurance, know that most insurance companies cover family therapy. Focus on your goals. An expert counselor contracted with CCS in Fayetteville can help you make your dream of an enduring marriage come true. To embark on strengthening your lifelong commitment, call CCS now to make an appointment and meet the counselor who will guide you through.

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