How Do I Know If I Need Marriage Counseling?

Photo by Caleb Ekeroth on Unsplash

 

Are you constantly worried about the health of your marriage? We all go through rough patches, but it’s important for you to figure out if your spouse is happy with what you’ve built together. The best way to treat an illness is with prevention.

 While a marriage isn’t always a bed of roses, there are a few warning signs that, if ignored, could lead to the destruction of your relationship. Read on to find out what they are.

1. You’re constantly afraid of saying the wrong things

 Being considerate of your partner’s feelings is a good thing, but what happens if you’re always walking on eggshells?

 There has to be a balance between avoiding certain topics and always being on defense or worrying that what you say will upset your partner.

Some people have a hard time opening up. Maybe your partner is dealing with some inner struggles that are uncomfortable to talk about.

In time, this can cause resentment to build up as well, especially if you always have to make a compromise, and this leads to both sides being unhappy.

 The nature of your partner’s day-to-day life can also play a factor in their response to stress or mood changes. Instead of fearing confrontation, ask your partner genuine questions about what’s responsible for their stress. It could be stress at work, too much responsibility, or money issues.

2. Spending time together is never a priority

 Highly-demanding jobs are usually to blame for this, but many people are often trapped in jobs they can’t escape without risking a financial disaster.

The problem isn’t when your partner doesn’t have any choice other than to keep their job and make ends meet. The problem arises when there’s enough financial stability and your relationship still isn’t a priority.

It’s also understandable if your partner wants to go out a few nights with his or her friends, but if they spend more time with their friends than they do with you, you’re dealing with a huge red flag.

Ask yourself when this started. When did your partner begin to prioritize other activities? Is there something that could’ve have affected the relationship that you’re to blame for?

3. Hurtful words are thrown around in fights too often

Hurtful words still linger even after the fight is over. Plus, hearing insults from the one you love only leads to resentment in the long term.  

Nobody wants to be disrespected, especially not by the person they live with under the same roof, and it’s important to do everything in your power to stop fights before hurtful words are exchanged.

What should you do if you experience one of these warning signs in your marriage? 

First, you must realize that no marriage or relationship is 100% perfect. Having one or all three of these signs doesn’t mean you’re on your way to a divorce. It just means you and your partner have to work on knowing each other.

If you want to find out whether your marriage can be helped by counseling or whether we’re a good fit for you, don’t hesitate to contact us!

 

 

.