Is Marriage Counselling the Right Fit for You?
Marriage is a partnership. It requires the commitment and dedication of both parties. When the marriage is suffering, one of the best options to address the issues is marriage counselling. However, while there is much to be gained through counselling, it is not a panacea. In fact, marriage counselling requires commitment and dedication as well. Here are a few ways to figure out if marriage counselling is a good fit for your relationship.
Both Parties Want to Make the Marriage Work
One critical way to tell if marriage counselling is a good fit for your relationship is to look at your commitment. Do you want your marriage to work? Does your partner want the marriage to work? You have to be very honest about this question. A lot of people will think they know the answer, but the truth may be more complicated. Marriage counselling will not convince you to stay in a marriage. However, marriage counselling can give you the tools you need to make the marriage work. There is a critical distinction in that. If you are not truly committed to the marriage, then counselling may be an exercise in futility.
You Can Embrace Alternative Perspectives
Another thing to consider before entering marriage counselling is your empathy level. In counselling, you will get to tell your side of the story. This is the part most people can embrace. However, you also have to hear your partner's side of the story. This can be much harder. If you are not able to listen to your partner's version of events, then you are going to struggle in counselling. You have to do more than listen to your partner if you want the counselling to work. You have to offer your empathy and your compassion. Marriage counselling requires you to put yourself in your partner's shoes, which can be easier said than done. It is important to realize that counselling is not about assigning blame. Instead, it is about learning to understand each other and work through issues together. Finding the right counsellor for your marriage can be part of the journey. If you do your research together, ignore the SEO side of things, you can find the best therapist to help you.
Marriage Counselling Requires a Strong Work Ethic
It is said that a good marriage takes work. This is true, and successful marriage counselling takes even more work. By the time you get to counselling, there are probably already issues within the marriage. Therefore, you are going to have to work twice as hard to overcome those issues. This work is multifaceted. You have to do more than attend the weekly sessions. You will have to consciously think about what you learn in the sessions. You will have to apply the principles given to you during the sessions. You will have to actively think about ways to improve your marriage. If you are not willing to make this effort, then the counselling is not likely to work.
You Can Maintain Healthy Boundaries in Your Relationship
When most people choose marriage counselling, it is because their relationship is in a bad place. However, if you want counselling to work, there should still be some healthy boundaries in place between you and your partner. In other words, you need to strike the right balance. You should be invested in the relationship. You should still care about your partner. However, you mustn't be too invested. If your relationship is based on clingy behaviors, then you could struggle in counselling. These are issues that will play a factor in your success or failure in marriage counselling.
Both Parties Can Admit They Are Wrong
Finally, if marriage counselling is going to be a good fit for your relationship, then you have to be able to admit when you are wrong. This will be a two-way street. In a marriage, it is rarely a case where one person is always right and one person is always wrong. Instead, there is a give and take. That means that sometimes your partner will have to recognize when he or she is wrong. Likewise, you will be expected to admit your own shortcomings in the relationship. If you are unable or unwilling to take part in that, then the counselling is not likely to work. Your ability to embrace humility matters.