Marriage counseling is viewed as a last resort for couples who are seeking to save their marriage from falling apart. This makes it difficult to decide what to do if you simply need advice on how to make your relationship better, or if you have a feeling that your union is not strong and your partner does not share the same sentiments and does not believe in marriage counseling. What many people do not know is that marriage counselors do more than just save your marriage, they can offer assistance when you are in deep trouble and convince a spouse who does not want to attend therapy to believe it is the best thing for their marriage.
In most relationships, one or both parties have the notion that counseling is not beneficial. This can happen because to them the process seems to be too costly, inconvenient, or only for people who have tried everything else and that is the only remaining option. It is difficult for many couples to seek help for their marriage issues than it is for individuals to see a therapist for depression, anxiety, and other problems. Your first response to the idea of seeing a marriage counselor, more so if you are going alone, maybe perverse. Try to get over that feeling. Besides, there is nothing wrong with seeking assistance if it feels like everything is not going as anticipated.
If your spouse is not ready to go for marriage counseling, be ready to go alone at least in the beginning. There is hope that you will eventually go together as a couple to seek the help you very much need to salvage your marriage. When is the right time to seek counseling? Marriage counseling is not just for individuals who have the feeling that their relationship is falling apart. As a matter of fact, it can be quite beneficial if you seek the services of a counselor before big marital strife happens.
The reason for doing that is because it feels easier to solve a conflict if you do not feel that is the only option left when everything else has failed. A routine marriage counseling session could be helpful to avoid scenarios that result in divorce and unhappiness. Bear in mind that you do not have to continue seeing a marriage counselor if you have a feeling it is not working for you, however, it can feel like it is not working when things are really bad.
Marriage counseling for couples is more effective if both parties attend, however that does not mean you do not have alternatives if your spouse is hesitant. You can begin seeing a marriage counselor by yourself and use the tips provided by an objective outside party to fix problems in your marriage. The same applies to scenarios where you begin counseling as a couple and along the way one partner loses interest. Your marriage counselor can still help you figure out how to be happy in your marriage even if you are the only party present.