Rough moments happen in even the best marriage. When things get difficult, couples can either do the best they can to reconnect on their own and try to work through their issues themselves, or they can seek the guidance of a trained and experienced marriage counselor.
Sometimes one or both partners in a relationship decide to seem individual counseling. Sometimes, you may choose to each see your own therapist at the same time you’re working with a couples counselor. Other times, you begin with individual therapy before moving to couples counseling. Here are some of the ways individual counseling can actually benefit your relationship as a whole.
Here are 3 ways individual counseling can help your marriage
Gain Insight Into How Your Behavior Impacts the Relationship
It’s easy to spot things that our partner needs to change. For instance, if your partner has a problem with walking out of a room during a conversation you’re very aware of this. Each time it happens it causes you distress. However, you may be unaware of how your own behavior contributes to the problem. It’s not that you don’t care-you just aren’t on the receiving end of your own behavior. when you only see half (or less) of the dysfunctional patterns, the problems in the marriage can seem confusing and overwhelming.
If you’re ready to begin to recognize your own negative patterns, a therapist can help. Through individual therapy you’ll discover how these negative patterns manifest in a relationship. The result is both partners are empowered and able to take a step back during conflicts as they occur, preventing escalation.
Change at the Root Level
You have to see a problem to fix it. Therefore, once your therapist has helped you identify negative patterns, they can then help you understand why they are happening and assist you in changing them. Patterns of behavior form and become ingrained when we are very young – before we become self-aware and before we’ve met our significant others. In fact, you may have had the same patterns show up in past relationships.
Understanding why your partner reacts a certain way can create empathy and help communication. Once you’ve laid this solid foundation, your therapist can give you specific adjustments that can change your relationship for the better. You’ll have new skills you can practice and someone to help you trouble shoot when you are trying to change an old pattern but back into the old habits.
Deeper Intimacy
A therapist will help you learn to be vulnerable and connect with your partner. Even though you are in individual therapy, it can help to work with a therapist who is an expert in relationships. In counseling sessions you can develop a deeper understanding of how to bring romance back into your relationship, communicate better with your spouse/partner and be vulnerable. The result is a deeper intimacy. You’ll have a deeper understanding of each other with a renewed commitment to meet each other’s needs and desires.
Individual Counseling with a Couples Therapist in Cincinnati
It’s hard to ask for help sometimes. In fact, you may first feel embarrassed discussing marital problems in front of a stranger. However, ultimately a marriage counselor can bring you both to a more fulfilling phase of your partnership. However, as a trained couples counselor, I understand relationships and I’m used to hearing about the innermost workings of a marriage or relationship. At my Cincinnati counseling clinic, I work with both couples and individuals. In addition to relationship counseling, I offer Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for depression, anxiety treatment & career counseling. So, if you or a loved one is interested in exploring treatment, please contact me today. I would be happy to speak with you about how I may be able to help.