Couples Therapy for Communication Issues

Couples therapy for communication issues can help many couples struggling with how to talk with each other. And how to hear and prioritize each other. There's a saying: "there is no closeness without sensitivity" We are sensitive to our partners because they are the most important people in our lives. We are emotionally connected to them.

Couples Therapy for Communication Issues Offers Hope

Couples therapy for communication issues help couples regain closeness without sparking familiar arguments that once caused unhealthy communication patterns. For many couples, when an invitation for emotional connection is offered, it can easily be missed. For example, sometimes these bids make their way through a comment such as

"hey, can I talk to you about something?"
Or a comment like: "what do you think about..."

When invitations for emotional connection are dismissed or ignored, it can send us into a level of discomfort that often can lead to arguments and misunderstandings.

Bids for Emotional Connection

Example of an emotional invitation for connection and communication might look like: Spouse 1: "Hey honey, can I talk to you about something that's been on my mind?" Spouse 2: (who is about to leave for work, or about to start a project around the house) Turns their head away. Or, maybe leaves to go into another room. And by turning away (by a head turn or leaving the room), Spouse 1 feels dismissed or disregarded.

Communication Issues Can Happen So Fast Between Couples

This example is just a small piece of what happens between couples. An important point about this is how fast things can go off track. In the above example, the emotional bid of "can we talk" was quickly met with the response of a turned head or a walk into the other room. These nonverbals communicated something to Spouse 1 that were triggering. Triggers also have meanings tied to them. These two things combined (triggers and meanings) can quickly send couples into misunderstandings or arguments. For example,

Spouse 2 may not have heard spouse 1
Or, Spouse 2 might have turned their head to find a place to sit down to be able to devote attention to Spouse 1

But, Spouse 1 interpreted the turning away in this example to mean their spouse doesn't care to hear what they have to say. That they aren't important. These assumptions happen very fast. And often couples don't stop in the middle of this cycle to process if the assumption they think is actually true. All of this happens because, there is no closeness without sensitivity. We are sensitive to those we love. Those that matter most to us. Couples experiencing stress around communication in their relationship, couples therapy can help. Couples therapy for communication issues helps couples focus specifically on what starts the cycle between them and how the cycle gains momentum and keeps going. Leading to distance, withdrawal and hurt feelings.

Couples Therapy & Communication Issues Help

Call today for help if communication is becoming strained between you. It doesn't have to stay like this. Professional help is available.

By: Anna McElearney, LMFT, LPC, NCC *Blog intended for educational and informational purposes only.