Relationships are beautiful, fulfilling, messy, and frustrating. Marriages might be a promise to love unconditionally, but it isn’t a promise for smooth sailing. All relationships go through growing pains and come up against challenges that test their bond. Of course, this was before the newest challenge rose its ugly head:
The coronavirus.
Even the healthiest and most well-equipped relationships are struggling as stay-at-home orders are extended, finances are stressed, and the amount of time partners are spending around each other has risen exponentially.
Strains in your relationship are not a sign your relationship is broken or even unhealthy. It is something we all go through, and it might mean some slight adjustments have to be made or communication opened up. With a Thriveworks Amherst online marriage counselor, you and your partner can come out of this tricky time stronger than before.
What Is Online Marriage Counseling?
Online counseling is also known as teletherapy, and it is a great way to access professional, licensed counseling from the comfort of your home, office, or even car! All you need for telehealth is a safe spot, access to phone connection, and a phone or computer.
For the most part, online counseling is the same as in-person counseling. The core beliefs of the Belchertown counselors do not change. Our online marriage therapy is still:
- Confidential
- Safe
- Affordable- Most insurances are now covering telehealth. We also have an affordable self-pay rate.
- Client-centered – As counselors, our job is not to get you to see our way. Our job is to help you see your way, the most healthy and fruitful version of it. We are your guides and occasional mentor, but you are still in control of the direction of your life. Marriage therapy is about your goals, your relationship, and your future. Conversing over telehealth rather than in-person doesn’t change those core truths of counseling.
Specifically, marriage counseling is as wide as there are marriages out there. Whatever you and your partner are facing, talking to someone can open up communication and encourage healing and growth.
Thriveworks Amherst in Western Mass has seen couples for:
- Work stress creating strain in the relationship
- Financial stress
- Loneliness in a relationship
- Anxiety about the future of the relationship
- Personal challenges that might be impacting the relationship
- Adapting to work-at-home or stay-at-home orders
- Coping mechanisms for the arguments and struggles that might come up
- Communication progress
- Differing beliefs or lifestyles
- Learning how to live together
- Managing busy schedules
- Unmet needs for affection
- Differing expectations for the relationship
These are only a few examples. Whatever you are struggling with, you don’t have to keep quiet about it. There is no shame in having problems in your marriage; you won’t find a marriage out there that hasn’t struggled! There is no problem too “big” or too “small” for a Pioneer Valley counselor. If you need an outside, unbiased, empathetic ear, we are here for you.
What Happens in an Online Marriage Counseling Session?
Teletherapy can raise many questions. How is it different from in-person counseling? Is it as effective? How will it even work?
First off, teletherapy usually takes the form of a phone call or a video conference. You can talk to your counselor about which method you prefer. Secondly, teletherapy has been proven to be just as affective, and in some cases even more affective, than in-person counseling. When you meet in the comfort of your own home, your mind and body are more at ease. Research has seen people more willing to address difficult problems and accept change when they do therapy at home.
Of course, there are some difficulties when it comes to mediating marriage counseling. Our counselors in the Amherst area have been given the skills they need to professionally and affectively conduct a couples counseling session.
As for the actual content of a marriage counseling session, not much will change from in-person to online counseling. In general, there will be three stages that a marriage counselor will take you through. They are of course very flexible based on what you and your partner are coming in with and where you want to go.
- Identifying conflict areas
- Learning how to deal with conflicts as they come up
- Preparing for future
We know that sounds a little broad, because it is! Every marriage is unique, so every marriage counseling session will be unique as well. To get an idea of what specifically might be discussed, here are a few examples:
- Communication styles and ways to communicate with each other
- How you experience and give love
- Managing differences and expectations within the relationship
- Learning how to adapt to the changing circumstances around you
- Opening up communication about needs, thoughts, and emotions
Marriage is not all love confessions and happily-ever-after. It is hard work, and sometimes it might feel impossible. That doesn’t mean your relationship is bad or doomed to fail. Thriveworks Amherst is here for you virtually for all of your marriage counseling needs.
