For Most People, Their Wedding Day is Like a Fairytale.
After the honeymoon, however, it takes hard work and compromises to maintain a marriage. Even more casual relationships have some give and take. It’s normal to disagree and have emotional ups and downs, but how do you know when it’s too much? Certain signs could signal a need for assistance.
You Might Want to Consider Couples Counseling if You Notice Any of These Problems in Your Relationship.
1. Little to No Communication
Marriages, like all relationships, are built on communication. If you and your spouse are spending more time in silence than in conversation, it could be a problem. If you’re not speaking to each other frequently, you’ll be less likely to talk about the small things. Good communication is an important part of keeping couples together.
Being afraid to bring up issues is an even more worrisome sign. Certain topics can be highly charged (sex and money, in particular), but if you’re afraid to talk about these issues because you fear retaliation, it often signals the need for intervention.
2. Affection (or Lack Thereof) is Used as Punishment
If one spouse is withholding love as punishment, it’s definitely a warning sign. This creates imbalance in the relationship and fosters resentment. It’s okay to want some distance during a disagreement, but when one of you is deliberately acting cold as a method of revenge, it could be permanently damaging.
3. Secrets are Kept
In any relationship, you want to have a bit of privacy – it’s healthy. It’s often too much, though, when one or both partners begin to accumulate a steady stream of secrets. This is especially true about spending habits. If you’re hiding things that in the past you would have shared, it means the dynamic of your relationship has changed.
4. One of You is Having an Affair
Cheating can end a relationship faster than anything else. If you’re feeling the urge to be unfaithful (or have followed through with it), it’s time to seek help. You should also seek couples counseling if your partner is having an affair, especially if you don’t want the marriage to end.
Couples counseling can be a wonderful, positive experience – especially if your relationship is going through turmoil. It’s not too late for you and your partner to grow closer and work together to achieve happiness.
Additional Resources:
https://www.relationshipjourney.com/whenshouldwegotocouplescounseling.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/02/marriage-counseling-_n_5412473.html