If someone asked you to think of what a healthy on-screen romance looks like, you might not immediately think of one where spiders, gothic architecture, and general spookiness are the norms. But Gomez and Morticia Addams of The Addams Family are actually role models when it comes to their healthy romantic and familial relationships.
The power dynamic between the couple is clear: Though their personalities are as different as their expressions of love, Morticia and Gomez are equals, and their relationship is built on a foundation of trust. When they have marital problems, they work together to resolve them through open dialogue and active listening. When their children have talent shows, plays, or other activities, the parents are equally engaged, doing whatever they can to ensure their children are happy and satisfied without compromising their morals.
Because of the strength of their relationship, they’re able to open their home to others without fear of judgment and without sacrificing who they are as individuals, as a couple, or as a family.
Fictitious though they may be, we can learn a lot from the way they support, listen, and appreciate each other. Their on-screen cuddling sessions and kisses may have made for wacky segues into other scenes, but these moments actually utilize some of the very techniques psychologists, therapists, and other professionals use during marriage counseling.
Maintaining a healthy relationship with your partner or spouse is no easy task. It requires patience, support, and compromise. There will be disagreements — and when they arise, it’s important to stay communicative and attentive to the other’s needs as well as your own.
Sometimes, our communication and listening skills need to be fine-tuned and we can benefit from outside mediation and expertise. That’s where the counselors, therapists, and other mental health experts at Thriveworks in Bend, OR can offer their support. When you book an appointment with one of our licensed marriage and family therapists, you’ll be taking proactive steps to improve your relationship.
Why Seek Marriage or Couples Counseling?
Couples counseling can teach you how to resolve conflicts, listen attentively, and communicate freely. It can give you the means to solve personal and interpersonal problems in a considerate and effective way.
With that in mind, it’s no wonder that many couples choose to see a couples therapist or counselor. Some of the more common reasons couples seek care include:
- Intimacy issues
- Trust issues or infidelity
- Financial disagreements
- Communication problems
- Political differences that lead to conflict
- Arguments that won’t resolve on their own
- Trauma or abuse
- Grief and loss
- Major life transitions
If any of these issues resonate with you or your partner, call us at Thriveworks in Bend, OR to set up an appointment.
Couples Counseling: Techniques and Benefits
If you’ve chosen to pursue couples therapy, then you already know that strengthening your relationship with your spouse or partner is possible. Therapy can help anyone who’s open and ready for growth.
Licensed marriage and family therapists can work with you and your partner to resolve conflict and address the problems you face. If you and your spouse are experiencing relationship issues, therapy can help you move forward.
Some types of therapy often used during couples counseling include:
- The Gottman Method
- Solution-focused therapy
- Imago relationship therapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Narrative therapy
The success of these and other forms of therapy hinges on honest communication between you, your partner, and your therapist. Whether you’re taking ownership of your own actions and story (narrative therapy) or reexamining how you handle problems and view stressors (cognitive behavioral therapy), a licensed professional can help you make progress.
Call or click our scheduling tool to set up an appointment with a Thriveworks provider in Bend, OR today.
