Healthy relationships typically require some hard work, however, many people don’t think of them in this way, often believing instead that harmonious relationships occur automatically.
Most relationships begin in the same way; generally, a person falls madly in love with another and then can see no wrong in the person with whom they have fallen in love. As the saying goes “Love is blind”! More often, however beautifully a relationship begins, cracks frequently start to emerge and the person who was once thought of as being able to do no wrong, now begins to let their partner down and disappoint them.
Difficulties eventually emerge in the relationship, some of which are easily resolved but others can become intractable. Unhelpful patterns can then develop in the areas of communication, interactions, and conflict resolution. These relationship issues can frequently result in keeping a couple stuck in an unhealthy way of being together.
The same old arguments and discussions are had on a recurring basis, as on a merry-go-round with no clear way to get off the unpleasant ride. Many people consider separating at this point, when an alternative would be to find professional help and engage in couples therapy or marriage counselling services to gain some expert help in working through these challenging times in their relationship.
Looking for Pre-Marriage Counselling?
Pre-Marriage Counselling can incorporate emotionally focused therapy to help identify differences in values, behaviour patterns & habits, financial management and cultural & ethical issues in an open, safe and unbiased environment.
It aims to provide couples with a deeper understanding of communication, conciliation and resolution skill-sets optimal to transitioning into a healthy and long-lasting marriage partnership. For some, it can also illuminate the difficult subject of ‘marriage readiness’.
Appointments with a couples therapist can be made on a session-by-session basis, with many couples satisfied with 1-2 one-hour sessions and others choosing more in-depth therapy or to pursue individual counselling around identified (usually past) issues.