For Couples Seeking Counseling
It’s very common for couples seeking counseling to wait to get professional help. In fact, there is research that suggests couples seeking counseling on average wait 6 years to get help needed.
That’s 6 years of struggles causing distance and communication that’s not fostering connection and intimacy.
But if you take a moment to really pause on the reality of this, it might not seem so shocking.
Struggles between couples can sometimes take a while to build. There might be other responsibilities that are on your plate, for example: taking care of your children, working a full time job or multiple jobs, community responsibilities, etc. and by the end of the day, and you might be exhausted from all that you’re doing to think about adding one additional thing (couples therapy) into the mix.
But, if you are struggling in your marriage as you’re reading this, and want help but aren’t sure about what to do, please consider whether couples therapy is right for you.
Couples therapy through the lens of emotionally focused couples therapy.
When couples seeking therapy work with me, we will get to the root of what’s causing distance or struggle between you. And move into new relational patterns that unite and bond you.
Couples seeking counseling with me can know that together we will develop a map for understanding the struggles that exist and will create a map toward healing, understanding, better communication and better connection.
What Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy Looks Like
I’d like to offer some information on how I work with couples.
The information provided is not intended to be rigid and fixed. This process is fluid and there will likely be some movement back and forth…it’s all part of the process!
We will work toward awareness of the emotional stances or cycles that happen between you. What is causing conflict. What is causing feelings of distrust? Feelings of loneliness? Feelings of failure?
And, once we can truly understand and learn about the patterns that exist in your relationship, we can begin to move into:
- Primary issues weighing on you and the negative patterns of interaction that increase struggles when these primary issues come up.
- Awareness of the emotions that are tied to these primary struggles or issues.
When we are ready, we will move into
- Changing patterns of interaction between you. Learning a new dance that you can do together.
Couples will begin to learn how to bring voice to their needs and deeper emotions. Learn how to talk about these needs and emotions with each other without getting caught in the negative cycles that once existed.
Appointment for Couples Seeking Counseling
If you’d ready for help, please reach out. Help is available and change is possible.
By: Anna McElearney, LMFT, LPC, NCC
*Blog intended for educational and informational purposes only.
