5 Signs You Need Couples Therapy

We all know that relationships can be difficult. And while no relationship is without flaws, it's never a good sign when these conflicts begin to take over your life and relationship. If you're constantly fighting with your partner, there's a chance that you might need professional help. Here are some situations that could indicate that you should consider couples therapy:

You're in constant conflict with no resolution.

Conflict is normal in any relationship, but it's not a good sign if you're constantly arguing. There are many reasons why couples fight: lack of communication, unfair division of labor in the home or with childcare, different personalities… It can be healthy if it leads to resolution and growth—but it can also be unhealthy if the argument is never resolved.

You know what I mean: You find yourself in a heated disagreement and realize that nothing is getting resolved. Your partner starts to make a point, but then suddenly interrupts themselves with an “Oh wait!” or “Hold on!” The conversation stalls out, and neither of you knows how to get it back on track—and if anyone does start talking again, it only makes things worse because now everyone's upset about being interrupted. It becomes a vicious cycle that can go on for hours if left unchecked (or sometimes even longer).

Perhaps you fall into “kitchen sinking” - where one or both parties are arguing about one issue, but suddenly you’re arguing about every conflict you’ve ever had in the relationship. Or, maybe you or your partner completely shut down during an argument so no progress or resolution can be made.

This isn't just frustrating; it's dangerous for your relationship as well—if you don't figure out how to resolve conflicts effectively and quickly, then eventually one or both of you may end up feeling too exhausted by the constant fighting to have any interest in working things out anymore, which may lead to resentment in your relationship, or ultimately, the end of the relationship altogether.

You've stopped communicating.

Communication is essential to building a healthy relationship. It's important to remember, however, that communication isn't just about talking—it's also about listening.

In addition to being able to express ourselves verbally, we must also be able to listen effectively. This means paying attention when our partner speaks so that we can understand their point of view and respond appropriately with empathy or compassion. Listening is also important because it allows us to identify our partner's needs and wants and meet them.

If you have trouble expressing your feelings and needs, or if someone in your relationship is not interested in hearing what you have to say, then it might be a sign that you need couples therapy.

You're avoiding talking about that "one thing."

If you’ve been avoiding talking about a certain topic with your partner, it could indicate a deeper issue in your relationship. What we resist persists - the longer you wait to talk about issues, the harder it becomes to actually do so.

You may avoid bringing up your feelings because you feel nervous or scared and want to avoid conflict. Or maybe there are other reasons why you don't want to open up? Either way, this avoidance just makes things worse in the long run—and if your partner has noticed it too, they might be struggling to connect with you on an emotional level.

It’s important to talk about difficult things because it can help you feel closer. If you don't share your feelings with each other, it's hard for each of you to understand what the other person is experiencing and how they're feeling. It also prevents you from working together as a couple to resolve conflict.

You feel more like roommates than lovers.

You’ve fallen into the roommate phase - you’re comfortable cohabitating and sharing space, but there isn’t much happening romantically in your relationship.

You may notice that your partner is reluctant to be intimate with you, or maybe you’re reluctant to be intimate with them. Sexual problems are a common issue in relationships, and they can be difficult to talk about. If you or your partner have lost interest in intimacy, therapy can help you to understand why this happened and how it will affect the relationship long term.

It just feels like something's off.

You feel like something is wrong but can't quite put your finger on it. You feel disconnected from your partner, and you’re worried about the relationship.

If any of these scenarios apply to you, it might be time to consider couples therapy.

Whether you’re having trouble adjusting to a new phase of life (for example, you’re new parents or empty-nesters), wanting to work through infidelity, or just wanting to reconnect with each other, couples therapy will help you learn how to work together as a team and rekindle the spark you once had.

Couples therapy can also help you look at things from your partner’s perspective and understand each other’s needs better so that you have more empathy for one another when communicating about difficult issues that arise over time. By having an outside third party present (the therapist), you are able to hear what the other person really means versus what you think they mean based on past experiences together or assumptions made about your partner’s intentions.

So what are you waiting for? Get your relationship back on track and schedule your free consultation today.