Are you and your partner struggling to communicate, trust, or connect? Do you feel like your relationship is on the verge of falling apart? If so, you are not alone. According to a survey, 49% of couples have attended some form of counseling with their spouse. But does marriage counseling work? And how can you find a good marriage counselor who can help you and your partner improve your relationship?
This brief post explains marriage counseling, its benefits, and how to choose a qualified and experienced marriage counselor. Read on!
Reasons to Try Marriage Counseling
Marriage counseling is a reliable option for couples who wish to improve their relationship by addressing crucial issues like communication, intimacy, and trust. With the best Marriage counseling in Huntsville, AL, you can enjoy the top three benefits of addressing these issues.
These include:
Improved Communication
One significant benefit of marriage counseling is its ability to improve communication skills with your partner.
Communication is the key to any relationship. It allows both parties to understand each other’s needs, feelings, and thoughts. However, effective communication isn’t always easy, especially during a misunderstanding.
With Marriage counseling, couples can learn how to communicate in a way that is effective, respectful, and empathetic. For instance, one study showed that couples who went through emotionally-focused therapy (EFT), a kind of marriage counseling, improved their happiness and kept these improvements for two years.
Enhanced Intimacy
Intimacy is the emotional and physical connection that you and your partner share, and it is important for keeping your sex life satisfying. However, intimacy can fade over time because of factors like stress, boredom, anger, or health problems.
Marriage counseling can help you and your partner reconnect and reignite your intimacy by exploring your feelings and desires. You will also explore new ways to show more love, romance, and pleasure in your union.
One study focused on couples that went through integrative behavioral couple therapy (IBCT), another kind of marriage counseling. The research discovered that these couples had higher levels of sexual satisfaction and lower sexual issues than couples who did not go through therapy.
Trust Restoration 
Trust is the basis of any relationship because it means honesty, loyalty, and dependability. But trust can be broken because of cheating, lying, or insecurities.
With expert couples therapy in Huntsville al, both parties can heal from any breach in trust by encouraging forgiveness, responsibility, and openness.
For instance, one study focused on couples who underwent forgiveness-based therapy, a specific kind of marriage counseling. The research revealed an improvement in their trust and relationship quality and reduced their mental stress after experiencing cheating.
How to Find The Best Marriage Counselor
Now that you understand the benefits of a marriage counselor, the next step is identifying the right one. The perfect therapist should be qualified, experienced, and compatible with you and your partner, and here are some tips we recommend:
Look for a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
Your couples counseling therapist should have specialized training in the Gottman Method, Emotionally Focused Therapy, or Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy.
You can search for therapists on reputable websites, such as the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, Psychology Today, or Marriage Friendly Therapists.
However, you can save yourself the hassle of finding a reliable therapist and contact us at Aspire Counseling. We respond promptly and will provide expert insight to restore joy in your union.
Ask for Referrals
There’s a possibility that people in your social circle have hired the help of a couples counselor with a positive effect. In this case, you can ask your trusted friends and family for recommendations if they have any.
You may also ask your primary care physician, clergy, or hospital for recommendations, as these people often have connections with reliable marriage counselors.
Interview Potential Therapists
After finding your desired therapist, ensure to first interview the Professions before you commit to a session. You can call or email them and ask about their credentials, fees, availability, and approach to couples therapy.
Also, consider asking them about how they handle common issues, such as infidelity, communication, intimacy, or conflict resolution. The goal is to find a respectful and supportive therapist while helping you and your partner achieve your goals.
Consult your Partner
Couple’s therapy isn’t one-sided; your significant other needs to be involved, including picking the therapist. Therefore, choose a counselor who makes you and your partner feel comfortable, safe, and understood.
One way to achieve that is by picking a therapist of the same ethnicity; for example, Aspire Counseling is one of America’s best African-American therapists. Working with someone who shares similar values about marriage and your situation makes each therapy session feel hassle-free.
Stick with the Process
Marriage counseling can be challenging as you open up your private issues to a stranger; however, it can also be rewarding and effective. But for results to appear, you and your partner must be committed, honest, and open to change.
You must also practice the skills and strategies the therapist teaches you, both in and out of the sessions. Consider contacting Aspire counseling today for reliable couples therapy in Huntsville al based on years of training and experience.
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