There are many reasons a couples would seek therapy. Whether there are behaviors deeply affecting the relationship or a situation has arisen that a couple is trying to deal with, couples therapy may be in order to ensure a relationship continues to thrive. Even couples who have no trouble communicating may face a situation where an outside party can help them navigate rough or choppy waters. If communication is lacking between you and your partner or there is a situation that is uncharted, it’s best to seek professional help. Here are just a few benefits of couples therapy.
Couples Therapy Can Help with Intimacy
Problems that may plague a relationship often play out in the bedroom. Sometimes the reason may have to do with external factors, such as an affair, frustration with work or life in general, exhaustion or boredom. However, difficulty to achieve – or lack of – intimacy may be the result of an underlying health issue. Both men and women can suffer from sexual dysfunction that affects intimacy. For a man it could be physical trauma, Low Testosterone, or a medical condition; for women, it may be menopause, vaginal dryness or treatment for an illness or medical condition. While the health issues can be addressed through medical treatment, the affects may result in misunderstandings, communications issues, even shame. If you are experiencing a lack of intimacy, for any reason, couples therapy can help and can also serve as a great supplement to medical treatment.
Couples Therapy and Non-Traditional Relationships
While a couple may enthusiastically engage in alternative lifestyle relationships – from polyamory to an “open relationship” to practicing kink or BDSM – enthusiasm isn’t always enough to maintain the base relationship. Couples counseling can help you set much needed boundaries, helping you to establish rules, understanding and expectations in a safe, non-judgmental place.
Couples Therapy and a Happy Family
All families are different and deal with problems differently. A counselor can assist in creating open lines of communication and help a couple navigate their unique experiences to come together as a unified, supportive front.
Couples Therapy Can Open Lines of Communication
Spouses need to be able to express themselves without fear of misunderstanding, shutting down or retaliation. Couples therapy can teach both parties how to communicate more effectively, offering techniques and tactics to create a give-and-take that helps couples grow and thrive.
Couples Therapy and Conflict Resolution
By seeing a therapist, you and your partner can learn best practices to resolve conflict and differences that can weigh a partnership down.
Couples Therapy and Dealing with Loss and Trauma
Devastating news can strain even the strongest relationships. Whether it’s illness, loss of a loved one, losing a job, or a strain on trust, couples therapy can help by providing guidance and strategies to cope with and work through change.
Couples Counseling in Montclair
Whether you are in a “traditional” marriage, are life partners, engaged, or dating, a healthy relationship takes lots of work. In many cases, the guidance of an expert couples therapist can help that relationship mature and grow. In Montclair, NJ, Advanced Psychology Partners provides discreet, personalized, results-oriented therapy that can help your relationship be all it can be. Our expert team of Donna Lobiondo, MDiv, PhD and Eric K. Larsen, MA, LPC provides couples the counseling they need for a lifetime of success. To schedule an appointment with Donna or Eric, use our online form, or call us at (973) 534-5333 to schedule a FREE 10-minute phone consultation to get a sense of what working with us will be like.
