7 min read
Can I Salvage My Marriage? A Guide to Rebuilding a Stronger Relationship
No marriage is perfect, and sometimes one partner or the other will find it difficult to feel positive in the face of...
At Williamsburg Therapy Group, we offer couples therapy in Chicago, IL, for those facing ongoing conflicts, dissatisfaction in dating, marriage, or parenting, everyday tensions, and sexual issues.
Sometimes, one partner may want to express something important but feels uncertain about how to communicate it or fears their partner's reaction. If this resonates with you, Williamsburg Therapy Group can help you break through barriers and build a stronger, healthier relationship.
Couples counseling offers a safe and structured environment for partners to explore their individual perspectives on the relationship. Conversations about past events, shifts in viewpoints, and future aspirations can often feel overwhelming and challenging to navigate.
Our psychologists act as neutral facilitators, providing support and structure to help make these discussions more manageable, while honoring the viewpoints of both individuals involved.
While many couples turn to therapy during a crisis, such as after an affair or other significant issues, it can also be beneficial to seek help earlier. If you've noticed potential problems in your relationship and aren't sure how to address them, couples counseling can provide valuable guidance.
Common reasons for seeking couples therapy include:
Couples therapy is a structured and evidence-based approach designed to help you and your partner achieve your relationship goals. When conducted by a licensed psychologist, such as those at Williamsburg Therapy Group, couples therapy has a success rate of 75%. The specific goals of therapy will depend on what you and your partner wish to improve. However, you can generally expect the following benefits from couples therapy:
Couples counseling can be an effective way to explore and address the underlying issues fueling conflict in your relationship. While these issues may be temporarily avoided, neglecting them can lead to significant problems down the line. We aim to answer your questions to help you and your partner feel confident as you move forward.
At Williamsburg Therapy Group, couples therapy starts with a series of introductory questions designed to gain insight into your relationship. We aim to understand both you and your partner as individuals and as a couple, helping us to identify what led you to seek therapy and what you hope to achieve.
The initial step in couples therapy involves exploring the relationship to identify the sources of tension and conflict. This phase can often feel uncomfortable, as it encourages partners to share feelings and observations that may have been kept inside.
It’s crucial to keep in mind that your relationship is not defined by its challenges, but by how you and your partner perceive and work towards resolving those challenges.
Your psychologist at Williamsburg will provide you with specific, actionable strategies to enhance your relationship. However, trust and empathy are fundamental to effective conflict resolution. Therefore, the second stage of your couples therapy session will focus on rebuilding the connection that once characterized your relationship.
Only after establishing this foundation can your therapist begin to analyze your unique situation and develop tailored solutions.
Once you’ve identified the issues in your relationship and fostered a sense of empathy between you and your partner, you’ll be ready to implement customized solutions. These solutions may focus on various aspects of the relationship, such as improving communication, being more transparent about wants and needs, forgiving past infidelities or traumas, and addressing problematic behaviors.
This stage can require significant effort, as your therapist will encourage each partner to make meaningful changes. Ultimately, the goal of couples therapy is to enhance overall relationship satisfaction.
Once your relationship is back on track, many couples feel prepared to end therapy and apply the skills they’ve learned. Your therapist will help you establish new guidelines, plans, and interaction methods aimed at maintaining a healthy and fulfilling relationship without ongoing counseling.
Here are three ways your relationship can continue to stay healthy after couples counseling.
If you’re seeking to strengthen your relationship, it’s essential to work with an experienced couples therapist in Chicago, IL, who can guide you through the process and help you cultivate a lasting, healthier partnership.
At Williamsburg Therapy Group, we are dedicated to ensuring positive outcomes for all our clients and their relationships. If you’re ready to take the first step toward healing and enhancement, schedule an appointment with one of our skilled couples therapists today.
Oct 21, 2024 by Williamsburg Therapy Group
No marriage is perfect, and sometimes one partner or the other will find it difficult to feel positive in the face of...
Oct 21, 2024 by Williamsburg Therapy Group
As the long, warm days of summer start to get cooler and end sooner, some people find that they start to feel a sense...
Oct 21, 2024 by Williamsburg Therapy Group
Resilience is one of those words that most people understand has a positive connotation but may have difficulty...