7 Clear Signs Your Relationship Needs Couples Therapy

This article originally appeared on Healing Moments Counseling.

Dating researchers know that the best intervention is prevention. This means that the sooner you get help, the better. Research indicates that couples wait an average of 2.5 years for help with relationship challenges. [1]

Every couple goes through ups and downs. It's normal to experience conflict and disagreements, but sometimes these issues can become too overwhelming to handle alone. Couples therapy is a valuable resource that can help couples resolve their issues and strengthen their relationships.

How do you know if you're ready to start couples therapy? Here are seven clear signs that it's time to talk and seek help from a qualified couples therapist.

1. Communication is interrupted

It is common knowledge that communication is the foundation of any healthy relationship. Unfortunately, many of us haven't learned healthy, mature communication skills. We haven't learned how to regulate difficult emotions, so when something hurtful happens, we lash out or withdraw.

Research shows that if you start a conversation harshly, 96% of the time it will end negatively. [2] According to Dr. John Gottman, a hard start includes an attack on a partner's character rather than an expression of a feeling, need, or desire. [3]

Here's an example of a tough startup: "You never help with the dishes. You're just a lazy person.

A softer startup might be: "I'm so overwhelmed. Can you please put the dishes away? This will help me feel less overwhelmed right now. Thanks for putting up with me. 'appreciate.'

If you're constantly arguing or failing to communicate effectively, it's a sign that communication is down. Couples therapy can help you understand where you're stuck, learn new ways to communicate, understand each other's points of view, and rebuild trust and intimacy that may have been lost due to relationship difficulties. communications.

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2. You are stuck in a negative behavioral pattern

Do you find yourself repeating the same negative pattern over and over again? It's like...