Couples Therapy
Are you struggling with feeling lost, alone, and hopeless in your relationship?
Do you feel like you and your partner are drifting apart and experiencing a lack of emotional connection?
Have there been new stressors in your relationship causing conflicts that are difficult to resolve?
Are trust issues creating unbearable strain and leading you to question whether or not your relationship will be able to make it?
Has there been a lack of physical intimacy you are longing for but don’t know how to talk about with your partner?
When there’s trouble in our intimate relationships, it can be hard to truly enjoy other aspects of our lives and feel fully happy. This can significantly impact your day-to-day life. Being in a constant state of worry and tension makes it difficult to focus on other areas of your life that need your attention. Relationship troubles can feel like an ever-present weight on your shoulders that affects your mood and overall well-being.
You may notice your productivity at work is slipping, your other relationships are suffering, and your mental health declining. Additionally, when there’s unease in your romantic relationship, it can affect your self-esteem. For example, an affair or betrayal can erode a person’s confidence and make you question your worth and value. Or you may have a partner who’s struggling with their mental health causing them to pull away from you and leaving you to question your importance to them.
Most Relationships Face Rough Patches
Relationship struggles are a common and natural part of sharing our lives with another person. The transition in many relationships from the head over heels stage to the honeymoon is over stage can be a difficult reality to have to face. Challenges can arise from factors specific to the relationship itself as well as issues brought in by each individual.
Relationship specific issues can include communication break-downs, differences in resolving conflicts, challenges related to extended family, parenting woes, intimacy concerns, and external stressors. Then there is the individual “baggage” each person brings in to any relationship. Past relationship hurts can lead to insecurities and self-esteem challenges that can affect the current relationship. Differences in core values, goals, or life priorities can also be a source of conflict or stress. For example, one person may want kids whereas the other person is content to be child-free. Or one person values living in the moment and has a more care-free approach to finances whereas the other person believes in saving for a rainy day and planning for the future. A history of trauma that either one or both individuals have experienced and not dealt with can also be a complicating factor.
When the initial high of the new relationship begins to naturally come down over time, it becomes vital to address emerging issues.
When challenges occur, some couples have to face the fact that they are not equipped with essential skills such as expressing needs, listening effectively to one another, and knowing how to resolve conflicts peaceably. This lack of foundation often leads to more misunderstandings and emotional distance.
Let's talk about your relationship needs
Bumps In The Road Or A Relationship On The Rocks?
It is not uncommon for couples to bicker about seemingly minor issues that one or the other may judge as petty or inconsequential. In these moments, it’s easy to dismiss these conflicts and chalk it up to a bad day or a bad mood. In some cases, issues are minor and easily resolved. But when you find yourself having the same fight over and over again or like you’re watching a bad movie you’ve seen before, it’s time to take notice.
Recognizing signs that your relationship may be facing challenges is important to acknowledge early on before things get too big and out of hand. Common signs that your relationship might be on the rocks include having persistent difficulties in communication and frequent misunderstandings. Conflicts that escalate rather than being resolved tend to lead to increased tension and negativity. Ongoing trust issues such as suspicion or jealousy despite efforts to rebuild trust are often a concerning sign of a rocky relationship.
Recurring conflicts and unresolved issues, if not seriously addressed, can lead to a lack of relationship satisfaction and ultimately feeling dissatisfied, unfulfilled, and unhappy. Furthermore, avoiding issues can perpetuate negative patterns and behaviors within the relationship. Unhealthy communication styles, unresolved conflicts, and unmet needs can become ingrained, making it even more challenging to break free from destructive cycles. In some cases, the consequences of not addressing issues can even lead to the deterioration of the relationship, potentially resulting in separation or divorce.
The good news is that you don’t have to stay stuck. There is a path forward. Couples therapy supports couples in reestablishing common ground, rebuilding trust, and reigniting the spark that initially brought you together.
Couples Therapy Can Help Forge A New And Stronger Connection
Seeking the support and guidance of a couples therapist provides a valuable opportunity to address challenging issues, regain balance, and work towards healthier relationship dynamics and personal well-being.
Couples therapy can be beneficial for anyone looking to improve their relationship whether to address specific issues, enhance communication, strengthen emotional connection, or navigate major life transitions. Couples therapy provides couples with tools, insights, and a supportive environment to work through challenges and build a healthier, more resilient partnership.
You May Still Have Doubts And Concerns About Couples Therapy
Will the therapist judge us or take sides during the sessions?
A skilled couples therapist’s job is to remain neutral and unbiased, focusing on understanding and helping both partners. Therapists are trained to create a safe and non-judgmental space, encouraging open communication. My goal is to work collaboratively with you to address and work through issues rather than assigning blame.
What if one of us is hesitant about therapy and doesn’t believe it will help?
It’s not uncommon for one partner to be hesitant or even feel dragged into therapy. Open communication about fears and concerns is vital to developing trust in the therapeutic process. Sometimes, individual sessions may be recommended to understand and address any resistance before proceeding with couples therapy.
It is also not uncommon for one partner to feel discouraged or hopeless before therapy even begins. I acknowledge that the journey ahead may seem challenging but I truly believe that therapy can be a transformative and positive experience. I have been fortunate to witness this again and again with the couples I’ve worked with.
Could therapy lead to the end of our relationship, or is the goal always to keep couples together?
While therapy can bring up challenging and painful issues, the goal is to strengthen and improve the relationship. In some cases, therapy may help couples decide to part amicably if that is in their best interest. The couples therapist’s role is to support the couple in making informed decisions and develop a healthy overall relationship.
Couples Therapy Helps You Regain Hope And Work Towards A Healthier And Happier Partnership
If you are ready to overcome your challenges and move towards a stronger and resilient partnership, then please reach out. I offer on-line and in person counseling in San Antonio.
