How to Improve My Relationship by Overcoming My Fear of Couples Therapy
Halloween is just around the corner. A time of year when people line up to pay to get chased around with a chainsaw. Terrifying, right? Another thought that may invoke instant feelings of fear or angst is couples therapy. But, before your fears run too wild, maybe we can help enlighten you. You see, couples therapy may be the perfect way to enhance your relationship.
There are many reasons why couples seek marriage counseling. Maybe you're struggling to maintain a healthy relationship. Perhaps the stress of the pandemic has overwhelmed your marriage, and you can't seem to communicate anymore. Regardless, the intent is to help each of you gain a better understanding of yourself and each other. Likewise, to help you productively work through issues that are causing heartache. One of the most significant benefits of couples therapy is the empathy that can develop as you gain insight into each other's way of thinking. Acquiring skills and understanding can enhance your relationship in a variety of ways.
Let's talk about some common fears couples have about counseling. We'll also talk about factors that may contribute to your success.
Facing Your Fear of Couples Therapy for the Sake of Your Relationship
There are many reasons why couples fear going to therapy together. One fear is that of judgment and vulnerability. Another common fear is that the therapist may align with your partner or misunderstand you. Others worry it could make the relationship worse. Financial worries are also common.
Therapists spend years learning how to help people heal. Most often, they've learned how to listen without passing judgment and instead can find ways to show empathy and understanding. As a result, they are likely to know how to help guide each of you to a better version of yourself and your relationship.
A study posted by the
Journal of Marital and Family Therapy found therapy positively impacts 70% of relationships. In other words, 7/10 couples have a positive experience in therapy. However, there are many factors that can increase that number.
Let’s discuss what may contribute to how effective couples therapy may be for your relationship.
Factors That Contribute to the Effectiveness of Couples Therapy for My Relationship
Therapy provides space for each of you to talk about your feelings in a safe place. Likewise, it provides a time where the two of you can focus solely on your relationship. Often, the therapist serves as a mediator and a facilitator to guide you through the process.
The goal may be to help you find common ground within your relationship. On the contrary, you may need help healing from addiction or infidelity. There is a wide spectrum of reasons for seeing a counselor. However, the reason and how long there's been a disconnect within your relationship can influence a successful outcome. Remember, the sooner you address issues together, the better.
Aside from why you need to go to therapy, the motivation to fix your relationship is crucial to your success. If both of you genuinely want to stay together, you're more likely to succeed at finding a solution.
In addition to a motivation to stay together, your therapist can also play a role. Keep in mind, therapists who have a degree in marriage counseling receive specific education. As a result, they acquire skills and tools that differ from, say, a degree in Social Work.
If you and your partner are ready to reclaim happiness and satisfaction within your relationship, we may be able to help. At Capstone Counseling and Coaching, we have therapists who have degrees in marriage counseling. Through their training and experience, they may help you push through your fears of couples therapy. You're likely to find a session to be more calming than a haunted house anyway. Visit our website or call us today to learn more.
