Just like individuals, relationships evolve over time.
Most people have one or more long-term romantic relationships over the course of their lives, and often these partnerships can end up in marriage or a formal commitment. Sometimes they last forever and sometimes they don’t. It is not uncommon for a couple to negotiate what their relationship means at the start of a marriage or formal commitment, and in fact, it is advisable to establish the terms of a partnership once it becomes serious. As time progresses and situations change, however, the relationship can change as well, and it may require more care, thought, and attention if it is to thrive over the long term.
We’re going to discuss the benefits of relationship counselling by explaining how it works and the changes it can facilitate within a romantic relationship.
We’ve all heard of “the honeymoon period” – a length of time at the beginning of a relationship where there is very little conflict, when sex is regular, and when there’s a sense of love and belonging with your partner. Connecting with someone intimately can feel like a magical experience. Being in love is difficult to compare to any other experience, and for many it is an invaluable part of a fulfilled and happy life. Yet the “honeymoon period” eventually comes to an end, and every relationship undoubtedly requires the hard work and commitment needed to create a resilient emotional bond that is durable over the long term. That’s where relationship counselling comes into play.
What is relationship counselling?
Relationship counselling is a unique experience for the couple involved, often form-fitted to the conflicts and daily routines that surround their relationship. Just like individual therapy or counselling, relationship counselling is available to help you and your partner understand the patterns behind your emotions and behaviours. A therapist uses evidence-based treatments and tools to help each couple recognize what issues may be underlying their conflicts or dissatisfaction, and how to work through these issues in a way that promotes understanding and connectedness.
What is the benefit of relationship counselling?
Relationship counselling can provide insight into what you or your partner may not have been able to recognize on your own, including unmet needs, unresolved conflicts, and unhealthy patterns of communication. A couples counsellor will be able to help you to recognize these issues and to address the ways they are damaging your relationship, which can ensure the health and longevity of your partnership. A counsellor will also be able to help you identify the reasoning behind your actions and how they may be affecting your partner. Understanding the consequences of your words and actions can be an enlightening experience, one that can help fortify your bond and facilitate necessary change.
Counselling will provide you with the tools to work through existing conflict that may have been difficult to approach on your own. In addition to issues such as infidelity, sexual disparities and parental pressures, stress in relationships can also be exacerbated by unseen conflicts in everyday conversation and in unspoken expectations.
Why to re-negotiate your commitments:
Relationships are as dynamic as individuals. It’s naive to believe that our own needs and wants, and those of our partner, will remain unchanged over time. This is why it can be important to re-negotiate the terms of a relationship with the guidance of an experienced therapist. When a marriage or relationship is worth investing in, it’s helpful to re-assess the terms of the agreement from time to time. It’s possible that you have new needs and requirements for yourself and your partner than you did when the relationship began. Rather than separating immediately or keeping these needs quiet, working with a couples counsellor to address the issues that are derailing your relationship satisfaction can help to evolve and mature your partnership.
In Summary
Couples counselling creates an environment that encourages open dialogue about what each partner needs in the relationship. It can be difficult to approximate this kind of conversation on your own when you’re experiencing conflict because habitual patterns of communicating often lead down the same unproductive path.
Sometimes relationship counselling can be helpful as a preventative tool, by encouraging an open dialogue before resentment starts to build. It can also help the partnership evolve in step with the individuals involved. Other times it can be an indispensable agent in overcoming conflict or addressing negative behavioural patterns that stress and erode a relationship. No matter the reason, a couple’s counsellor has the potential to strengthen your partnership, rebuild a foundation of trust and heal past conflict.
Are you interested in pursuing the benefits of relationship counselling?
Call The Clinic on Dupont at:
(416) 515-2649
Or visit their website:
www.theclinicondupont.com