All relationships go through difficult times but it is how you manage those times that makes the difference between staying together and parting.
Many of us don't ask for help until it is too late and therefore, by the time we get to see a counsellor, many years of hurt and resentment have built up.
Do any of the following points ring a bell with you ?
Are you frightened of bringing up a sensitive subject with your partner ?
Does it seem as though your partner isn't listening ?
Your conversations just seem to go round and round in circles.
You have only been talking for a short while and suddenly you are both in the middle of a shouting match.
You feel more frustrated at the end of the conversatin than the beginning.
One of you can't stop crying and the other disappears in a huff.
Counselling will help you both look at the nature of your problems, how they arose and how you can change them. We will look at your communication skills and work out different ways of dealing with your difficulties - perhaps you both want the same thing but are speaking different languages ! By understanding just why you are struggling it is often possible to work towards a more positive outcome or, if not, a more bearable ending. Sometimes the solution is right under our noses and all it takes is someone objective to point it out !
Of course, ideally a couple should go to counselling together but if your partner refuses then there are lots of things you can do to help the situation on your own. If this is the situation, a counsellor will help you to sort out your feelings alone which will often then make a positive impact on your relationship and may well result in your partner wanting to join in further down the line.
