Many couples who are considering a divorce decide to go through couple’s therapy as a last effort to save their marriage.
But is couple’s therapy truly effective in preventing divorces from occurring?
Ultimately, the success of marriage therapy depends on each spouse’s willingness to participate in the process. The following is an overview of some of the top benefits of therapy as relates to preventing divorce:
New perspectives
Therapists are trained in helping partners in a relationship see that relationship from 1) two perspective’s, and 2) a completely objective perspective. This helps stop the “Blame Game” and focus more on striving for empathy. The hope is that by helping people see the relationship from a different point of view, they will see more clearly what they need to work on and change to achieve long-term success.
Addressing dysfunctional behavior
An effective therapist will work with the spouses to change the way they behave and interact with each other. This means that, to start, each spouse avoids negative behaviors which may lead to abusive behaviors or psychological harm. At this stage, therapists may recommend substance abuse treatments or anger management. Therapists also work with spouses to improve their interactions in general to make them more positive and constructive.
Eliminating emotional avoidance
Couples who are afraid of expressing their feelings to each other are more likely to become emotionally distant. This can fester and lead to serious relationship problems. Therapists help couples clearly communicate their thoughts and emotions about each other without fear of judgment. This is a common issue among people who did not develop secure emotional attachments during their childhood, as they are likely to fear rejection when they show their true selves. By expressing their feelings, two people can better understand one another.
Improved communication
In addition to moving past fears of expressing one’s true feelings, couples can also work with a therapist to figure out more effective ways of communicating with each other. Communicating should never be abusive or threatening. All people are going to respond to different methods and tones of communication, and therapists help spouses figure out the best way to connect with each other based on their preferred tone and communication methods.
Greater relationship strength
Therapists will focus and draw from the existing strengths of the relationship throughout the process. It can be easy to focus on the negative, so pinpointing the strongest aspects of the relationship is important to provide greater balance.
Although couple’s therapy can be of great assistance to some, there are relationships that simply cannot be saved. If you would like to learn more about the divorce process, speak with a knowledgeable Fresno and San Diego family law attorney at The Law Office of Rebecca Medina.
