When a relationship hits some bumps, many couples opt to try marriage counseling or couples therapy. While statistics vary as to how successful this type of counseling is, the general consensus is that it is more likely to help than hurt, and a couple that wants to make an effort to stay together may well want to try going to a counseling center. However, what do you do if your partner is unwilling to see a relationship or marriage therapist? The information below outlines several possibilities.
Reasons Your Partner May Want to Avoid Couples Counseling
Before getting mad, it’s important to assess the root causes behind your partner’s refusal to go to therapy with you. Communication is essential to any healthy relationship, and one of the first steps to take when trying to move forward with the relationship is to be open and honest. There are several common reasons that someone might be against therapy:
- Not wanting to confirm that there’s a problem
- Feeling that he or she will be blamed for the problems in the relationship
- Thinking that the relationship is already doomed
- Worry about the stigma of marriage counseling
Having a discussion with your partner about his or her thoughts on seeing a counselor can help you understand what’s going on.
Seeing a Marriage Therapist on Your Own
For some couples, going to individual therapy sessions, or simply having one partner engage in therapy, can still help the relationship. If your partner is unwilling to participate, you may still want to consider finding a mental health professional to work with on your own. Because marriage is a compromise, you can still work through your own thoughts and feelings and help to improve your relationship in that way.
Finding an Alternative to Marital Counseling
Although you could go to therapy alone, you may feel that you need to engage in improving the relationship as a couple. In that case, there are several options you could try:
- Set up your own personal “couples therapy,” at home: have a weekly meeting or discussion about your relationship
- Make an effort to do something fun or romantic on a regular basis to recapture that energy
- Focus on validating each other’s feelings and being active listeners during conversations
- Cultivate compassion by thinking about how your partner feels
These techniques may not work for everyone, but are similar to the strategies that marriage therapists use and could therefore give you a viable alternative to going to a counseling service. However, if those adjustments aren’t giving your relationship its needed boost, seeking out a McKinney relationship counselor at New Horizons, whether to go alone or with a partner, can give you the tools to rebuild the connection with your loved one.
Marriage Counseling in McKinney, TX
New Horizons Center for Healing’s therapist, strive to help you have healthy relationships. Healthy marital relationships can affect both our mental and physical health condition. Our marriage counselors provides an opportunity for married couples to heal and regain a healthier life. Call today to schedule a session with a marriage therapist (972) 607-9650.
