Married life was not what Tim and Mary expected. They knew marriage would bring its fair share of challenges but they thought they had prepared for them. They lived together during their year-long engagement, and though they had disagreements from time to time, that experience had made them more sure than ever that they wanted to spend their lives together.
But six months after they said “I do,” Tim was let go from his job. Mary, meanwhile, was still finishing her graduate degree and was having difficulty supporting them both. This situation meant it was harder for them to spend quality time together, and when they did, discussing anything else but money felt almost impossible. Fights or tense silences became more common in their home.
Marriage means committing to the good times and the hard times. Though Tim and Mary had been so sure of this commitment just six months ago, both of them worried about failing at their first big challenge as a married couple.
Life can throw some pretty unexpected circumstances your way. Luckily, you don’t have to face these hardships alone. At Thriveworks in Normal IL, our relationship counselors and couples therapists are here to help you and your partner get through the difficulties and get you back on the same page.
Is Couples Counseling Right for Me?
Many people are afraid to make the leap and attend couples counseling due to the stigma surrounding it. The misconception is that this type of counseling is only for people who are struggling with a relationship-threatening issue.
But every relationship goes through tough times. Attending couples therapy simply means that you and your partner are committed to resolving your problems and would like a trained, outside perspective to help you do so efficiently. You can also attend couples therapy at any stage in your relationship, whether you’ve been with your significant other for one year or 10 years.
Some common issues that might bring a couple into counseling include:
- Financial difficulties or disagreements
- A breakdown in trust or communication
- Jealousy or resentment
- Infidelity
- Different ideas of growth for the relationship
- Parenting differences
- Inability to work through a recurring issue
- Dissatisfaction with your sex life
It is quite common for one partner to be more willing to attend therapy than the other. To encourage your partner to join, you might remind them of the potential benefits and what they stand to gain by attending. You might also remind them that therapy is a chance for you to find new solutions to old problems and open lines of communication under the guidance of a licensed professional.
Having some level of uncertainty is normal but you can rest assured that your family therapist will help ease both you and your partner into the process. Our licensed professionals at Thriveworks in Normal, IL are experts at helping clients face their relationship issues in a way that feels comfortable to them.
What Happens During Relationship Therapy Sessions?
There are several different approaches to couples therapy, including the Gottman Method, Imago Relationship Therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Couples counselors may use tactics from one or more approaches depending on the needs of their clients. For example, your therapy sessions may focus on addressing specific emotions, developing healthy boundaries, or resolving conflict. Your therapist or counselor may also decide to hold individual therapy sessions to better understand both you and your partner’s concerns and needs.
Whatever the nature of your therapy sessions, you can expect to learn valuable skills to use in both your current and future relationships, such as:
- Articulating emotions effectively
- Working through conflict
- Using “I” statements as opposed to blaming statements
- Active listening
- Setting boundaries
- Recognizing and accepting personal responsibility
Our counselors and therapists in Normal, IL look forward to helping you and your partner build a brighter future together. Connect with our scheduling team or check out our online booking tool to schedule an in-person or remote appointment.
Schedule a Couples or Marriage Counseling Appointment at Thriveworks in Normal, IL
If you and your partner are dealing with difficulties, you don’t have to wait any longer to get help. Our Thriveworks professionals are available to support you today so you can create a better tomorrow.
With convenient phone and online scheduling, you could be meeting with your therapist in-person or online in as little as 24 to 48 hours. We also accept most insurance plans and offer affordable rates for those paying out of pocket.
Whether you choose to attend in-person or remote appointments, we offer a suite of client perks including text support, our Therapy Buddy app, and an active community forum moderated by licensed professionals.
When you’re ready to work with a compassionate couples therapist, give our team a call at Thriveworks in Normal, IL to schedule an appointment.
