The very relationship you chose to have as an adult can bring you immense happiness and at the same time much heartache. You may be wondering if counseling is the right path to take for you and your spouse. It's great that you are taking steps to be proactive about your concerns. Take the assessment below to see if your relationship needs help. This is to help you decide what your next step should be. Please answer YES or NO to each of the questions.
We are arguing almost on a daily basis (usually over small things and topics tend to repeat and remain unresolved) along with rising intensity in arguments.
We tend to ignore each other for days in angry silence.
Our sexual relationship is unsatisfying or there is no sexual relationship.
The stress of our relationship is having a negative effect on our children, work and my health.
There have been thoughts or threats of ending the relationship.
I can’t seem to get my spouse to listen to me.
We no longer share our inner-most thoughts and feelings.
We’re more like distant roommates. We rarely spend quality time with each other.
There is presence of verbal abuse (name calling, yelling and character assassination).
We have experienced betrayal/s in the past and have very little trust.
We are currently experiencing infidelity and my partner refuses to end it.
There is presence of physical abuse.
There is presence of addiction.
If you have answered YES to three or more of the above questions, your relationship is under much stress and marriage counseling may be a good idea to consider. All relationships go through ups and downs but sometimes relationship issues become overwhelming. Asking for help is taking a step towards a better life.
If you answered YES to the last three questions, couples therapy is not recommended. I can provide referral as needed.