Do We Need Counseling? None of us received an instruction manual at the beginning of our relationship telling us how to resolve conflict, what to do when our partner gets on our nerves, or how to make the honeymoon last. We forge ahead bravely, doing the best we can, but for many of us, this is not very satisfying on a long-term basis.
|
Recurring issues and disagreements or a low but constant underlying level of stress and tension plague many marriages. The trials of parenting, stressful work conditions, and economic pressures are some of the external circumstances which challenge relationships. Waning sexual passion is an issue in many long term marriages.
You don't have to "settle" in your relationship
It's hard to be honest with our partner about the things that are not working for us in our relationship because we fear that the result of being honest will be worse than keeping quiet. We definitely do not want to make things worse! Many couples "settle" for a relationship which does not meet their needs for the sake of the children, from fear of being alone, because they believe that their marriage, good or bad, is a religious sacrament not to be broken, or a combination of these. They figure that this is just what you can expect from a marriage. After all, how many truly happy and passionate marriages have they seen in the real world?
Learn how to communicate
The good news is that your relationship holds the key to the deep love, acceptance, and safety that every human being wants and needs. It IS possible to learn to communicate with your partner in a way that is honest and heart-felt and which will enable you both to get what you want. You can replace the stressful negative patterns that are plaguing your relationship with love and support.