Marriage counselling in a time of stress

Marriage difficulties often arise during periods of stress when the couple really learn more about the differences they have.  Events like Christmas are potentially fraught with expectations of each person, largely influenced by social and cultural pressure.  Such outside influences impact on a couple who, if they don’t take time to explore their beliefs, values and underlying assumptions of what is really important to them, will find themselves in disappointment and conflict.

The increase in demand for marriage and individual counselling during the festive season is evidence enough of the stress that can be created at this time.  Identify your expectations to see how realistic they are and put time aside to communicate more clearly with your partner during times of stress.

Relationship Difficulties – How Couples Counselling can Help

Relationship difficulties often result when communication is poor or when different styles of communication exist.  The demands of daily life or changes e.g. a new baby, can greatly reduce the time a couple has for communicating their needs and changing expectations.  The result is miscommunication, anxiety and resentment.

Personality differences might also contribute where e.g. extroverts externally process their thoughts and ideas whereas introverts process them internally.  In hearing the extroverted partner, the introvert becomes confused by their seeming lack of focus, beliefs or intentions.

If you are experiencing relationship difficulties, you can learn better ways to communicate, which will enrich your relationship whilst valuing your respective differences.

Relationship Counselling – Helping Couples Communicate Better

Relationship and couples counselling is an effective way to address the dynamics of relationships.  Couples usually come to relationship counselling long after the relationship has deteriorated with partners being negative and bitter. This is unfortunate when partners focus on the negative aspects of their relationship, forgetting the purpose of  being together.  Conflict often arises after years of compromise, with one or both partners ‘keeping the peace’. When this no longer works for one or both, problems seem to escalate quickly – often to the surprise of the other person who was unaware of the extent of the problem.

Social, cultural and personal expectations set the context for relationships – however, ‘your’ relationship is unique to you and appeals of ‘expected behaviour’  only serves to ignore the uniqueness of your partner.  So powerful are the social mores of relationships and marriage, that partners are often surprised when their own or partner’s behaviour runs contrary to the public face of marriage.

If you are experiencing relationship conflict, couples counselling is a valuable crucible within which to explore yourself and your partner’s uniqueness – open your mind to what you can both create rather than fixing each other according to social expectations.  The result?  Creating the basis for improving the quality of all your relationships.