Couple’s Counselling – breaking down the stigma
I’m not sure whether it’s the portrayal in popular culture or if it’s our own ego that gets bruised, but the stigma I see attached to couple’s counselling worries me.
Every relationship can benefit from counselling, not just those that are on the brink of collapsing. Through couple’s counselling, it is my role to help instil the values of mutual respect, empathy, accountability and trust into the lives of my clients to foster a healthy, happy relationship.
Whatever the circumstance that leads a couple to couple’s counselling, my end goal is always the same. It is my aim to improve the lives of my clients by creating positive change, and I help facilitate this with practical, tangible, problem-solving tools.
What is couple’s counselling?
Couple’s counselling is an effective way to reinvigorate a romantic relationship, allowing individuals to remedy conflicts and strengthen connection.
It is natural for disputes and differences of opinion to form in any relationship. There’s nothing to be ashamed of.
As a qualified counsellor, my role is to provide impartial, professional advice to benefit both parties in the relationship. In our own home environment we can get distracted by our children, our work commitments and the household chores so we don’t give relationships the energy and focus it deserves. Counselling sessions offer a safe, confidential environment to help both individuals speak and listen.
Who goes to couple’s counselling?
Couple’s counselling is for everyone. Every relationship is unique and complex. Whether you’re in a blossoming relationship and about to move in together or get married, or you’re in a mature relationship and the spark has subsided, counselling offers a great opportunity to connect and communicate.
Counsellors aren’t biased toward any party in couple’s counselling. We respect that every human has their own values, beliefs and motivations, and it is up to us to help couples understand each other and work toward a common goal. We are trained to help people from all walks of life achieve a relationship with understanding and empathy.
Why do people go to couple’s counselling?
People go to counselling for a variety of reasons—every couple is different!
No relationship is without bumps in the road, and the need for counselling can stem from all kinds of reasons such as major life changes, issues with emotional connection, sexual problems, or past trauma. These common concerns can be addressed to build a healthy future relationship, and establish an authentic life partnership.
Couples may go to deepen their bond, learn more about each other, and take their relationship to a new level of intimacy. Couples may also attend to address their new responsibilities or pathways in life, such as having children or taking on a new career. Others may go to counselling to gain strategies for conflict management and learn how to resolve disputes calmly and without tension. Conflict is a normal element of all relationships, and all couples can benefit from such techniques.
Counselling is not merely a final effort at saving a marriage. In fact, the opposite is true. The earlier a relationship challenge is identified and resolved, the higher the chance of a lasting, successful relationship. Working through an issue before it gets out of hand is a sensible and mature approach to the complexity of relationships.
At Lifestyle Counselling Services, I offer a free 10-minute phone consultation to discuss how couple’s counselling can work for you. Email me at colleen@new.lifestylecounsellingservices.com.au or phone me on 0487 010 121 today to get started.