Reconciliation Beyond Marital Conflict/Family Conflict

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Making a marriage work and maintaining an intact family involves a lot of work for couples and children. However, it is nearly impossible for conflicts not to arise. This doesn’t mean you have to sound the alarm every time you have differences of opinion as conflict can be a natural part of any relationship. No couple can claim to agree with each other 100 percent all the time. While conflict is inevitable, having healthy conflict resolution skills takes work. 

Why Marital and Familial Discord Arise

In today’s turbulent society, a couple or family faces diverse challenges that can trigger conflict. Whether you’ve been married for years or just newlyweds, you can face a myriad of circumstances that can test your relationship. These challenges can include unemployment, death of a loved one, chronic disease, infidelity, and more.

Even if your relationship is generally happy, you can have as many conflicts as those who are ready to give up on their relationship. Understandably, this is because you and your partner have different attitudes, principles, and expectations that influence how you make the “right” decision for your family. These differences may set your choices apart from each other despite your desire to achieve a common goal. If the two of you fail to share ideas or feelings, your lack of communication can cause the build-up of unresolved conflicts which may result in resentment and unhealthy behaviors.

A House where Conflict Resides

When conflict at home becomes overwhelming, and proactive solutions are not readily available, it can cause adverse behavioral changes for everyone involved and around you. Chronic marital conflicts have been associated with low-quality relationships between parents and children, and believed to be psychologically stressful events in the emotional development process of children.

Relationship conflicts can have different emotional and behavioral effects on you, your spouse and your children. You may be left feeling guilty, rejected, or inadequate. If your children blame themselves for the conflicts, they can experience intense anger, guilt, worry and even anti-social behavior. If the conflicts result in their feeling fearful or threatened, they may also experience depression, hopelessness and/or feel helplessness. 

How Can You Reconcile? 

Conflicts can lead to anger and resentment. When left unresolved, it can become destructive. There’s no reason to prolong the hostile and antagonistic situation at home, counseling can help. There’s nothing too difficult to solve if you are motivated to make change and restore harmony in your family. 

Counseling can help you to process conflict, find what is at the root of it and finally find resolution. Therapy can help you to learn valuable conflict resolution skills and communication skills to address current conflicts and prevent others from getting out of hand. 

Carolina Counseling Services – Fayetteville, NC contracts with skilled, licensed therapists and counselors. Call today to schedule your first appointment. Online counseling sessions are also available, making getting the support you deserve easier than ever before! 

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