5 Ways Couples Counselling Can Help Your Marriage

Around one third of Australian marriages end in divorce, but unlike in many other countries around the world this rate is actually declining, and one of the reasons for this may be the excellent marriage counselling services available to Australian couples. More married couples than ever are seeking early professional intervention, resulting in many relationships being brought back from the brink before the only option is divorce. Psylegal are specialists in couples counselling in Melbourne, helping to transform marriages and teach couples healthy ways of dealing issues and conflict. If your relationship has hit a rough patch, read on for 5 ways in which counselling can help save your troubled marriage.

You can be open and honest in a safe environment

Being honest about your feelings with your spouse isn’t always easy, especially when these issues are addressed at home. If not delivered in the right setting, honesty can be brutal and can cause pain, anger and uncomfortable confrontation. Couples counselling provides a safe, non-judgemental environment in which both parties are encouraged to speak freely about their feelings and concerns, learning how to process and work through unresolved issues. You may find that getting your feelings out into the open with the help of a trained professional may be all you need.

You will receive impartial advice

Some couples fear that a counsellor might side with one partner over another during the process, however what you will discover is that professional counsellors work very diligently to ensure this doesn’t happen. Most leading marriage counsellors have dealt with a wide range of marital issues over their years of experience and will use a combination of impartial reasoning and a vast wealth of knowledge to provide valuable advice designed to improve relationships.

Negative patterns will be identified

Qualified marriage counsellors will help identify the negative patterns between partners and the different ways they manifest in a relationship. Many couples get stuck in cycles of negative behaviour and communication, where issues continue to smoulder and never get resolved.

Identifying these cycles and patterns will empower partners to take a step back from conflict as it occurs, preventing further escalation.

You will learn how to communicate more effectively

Both parties need to be able to talk about their issues without fear of hurting the other spouse. When each party can voice their needs and concerns openly without resentment or anger, the marriage will flourish. Couples counselling will teach you how to be assertive without being offensive and show you that you can get what you need without having to make demands and engage in conflict. Learning to communicate openly and clearly in therapy about your emotional needs can help to enhance your connection make you aware of more productive ways to listen to one another.

You will explore new ways to connect and build intimacy

Many marriages become entrenched in routines and responsibilities and with this comes a decrease in intimacy. Often, partners may begin to take things for granted and stop nurturing their relationship or when children are involved, spouses may lose their romantic connection. Counselling will help you focus on understanding each other’s needs and identify what makes you feel closer to each other, and offer strategies for reconnecting on an emotional level, rekindling passion and   intimacy.

Almost any troubled relationship can be saved if both parties are open couples counselling. It’s important to understand that counselling is a process, and not a quick fix. Both spouses must be prepared to be honest, to work at things and to take professional advice and guidance where necessary. Take the first step to rebuilding your marriage by contacting Melbourne’s couples counselling experts at Psylegal. Conveniently located in the heart of Melbourne, book an appointment today and start learning the skills needed to maintain a fulfilling and thriving relationship.