Maintaining a healthily functioning relationship can be difficult and sometimes lies beyond the scope of the couple that comprises it. This difficulty lies in the fact that people cannot objectively respond to issues in their own relationships. In situations like these, it can be greatly beneficial to take charge of the situation by hiring the services of a couples therapist. These individuals are professionally trained to use cognitive behavior therapy to resolve common issues that beset relationships. If you suspect you are part of a couple that could use external help, read our list of signs that your relationship will benefit from a couples therapy session.
What is Couples Therapy?
Couples therapy is a type of counseling designed to resolve common conflicts and communication issues that arise in intimate relationships. Given the very broad nature of these relationships, a couples counselor can address a wide variety of topics and issues.
Finding the right professional to help you deal with your particular set of issues is essential for this type of therapy to work effectively. You must find a therapist you both feel comfortable with and who understands your communication style as a couple. Successful couples therapy can significantly improve struggling relationships and has the power to repair fractures in relationships that threaten to drive the constituents apart.
Signs Your Relationship Will Benefit from Couples Therapy
1. You Argue Frequently
Frequent arguments can be a sign that the communication between you and your partner has begun to break down. If you argue often over small issues, it is likely a sign that there is a greater frustration at play. If the primary irritation is not addressed, tensions will rise, and arguments that distract from more serious matters will continue to occur. Therapy has the potential to help you get to the root of the issue that is provoking these arguments.
2. You Lack Intimacy
Intimacy is one of the primary reasons that individuals seek out romantic relationships. When physical intimacy starts to erode, it can seriously impact the emotional atmosphere of a relationship and diminish the amount of enjoyment that a couple feels in their daily activities. A couples therapist can help you understand what has led to a decrease in intimacy and guide you in addressing it.
3. You Have Lost Trust
No relationship can function without a considerable amount of trust. This is especially true for intimate relationships, where you must trust your partner with your physical, emotional, and even financial well-being for the benefit of the relationship. If you have lost trust in your relationship due to infidelity or other issues, then you should undergo couples therapy to try and recover some of the lost trust.
4. You Feel Stuck
Nobody wants to be in a relationship where they feel stuck in a rut. This can foster resentment and disdain between partners, which can spiral into even more negative feelings. An effective couples therapist can help you explore new perspectives and fresh ways of relating that can revive the excitement of your relationship.
5. You Feel Emotionally Distant
If you feel emotionally disconnected from your partner, you will likely benefit from couples therapy. A trained couples therapist can help you to identify the source of this emotional distance and guide you through exercises and discussions that can help you feel close again.
6. You Feel Frustrated by Your Communication Style
Effective communication is one of the cornerstones of a healthy relationship. Many other issues in a relationship can stem from this single issue. Following this, understanding and being intentional about how you and your partner communicate has the potential to significantly improve the quality of your relationship.
7. You Find That Your Goals Do Not Align
It is very important that a couple’s relationship and life goals align. If a couple does not have compatible goals, they may find that the relationship becomes burdensome as time goes on. Couples therapy can help you find common ground again and give you a better idea of how to move forward together.
8. You Simply Want to Improve Your Relationship
Sometimes, even people in healthy relationships can benefit from the services of a couples therapist. Even healthy relationships have plenty of room for improvement, and a trained therapist can strengthen the bond that you share.
The Best Couples Therapy Practice in Southern California
The staff at Cognitive Behavior Associates is dedicated to helping couples in Southern California find their center and resolve issues. If you are curious whether couples therapy could benefit your couple, contact our office today to make an appointment.