When we’re sick, we go to a doctor. We take our car to a mechanic when it needs repairing or our phone to a technician when it’s spazzing out. So what’s wrong with seeking advice from a therapist when your relationship needs a bit of a tune-up?
There is a common notion that entering into couples therapy spells trouble for the relationship. If you’re ever brave enough to share to a close friend or family member that you and your partner are considering therapy, the usual response is “Oh, is everything alright?” or “What’s wrong?”. And, when accompanied by that worrying expression of pure pity, you could feel like your relationship is about to meet its doom.
The truth is, it is this response and the unfortunate stigma surrounding couples therapy that prevents us from even considering doing it, even when, in some cases, the relationship could potentially benefit from it. If somehow, one partner is able to convince the reluctant other to take that step, it is often not treated as efficient or important by them and so may not serve its intended purpose.
Couples therapy can be helpful for a number of reasons, not just trouble in paradise. Although seeking help is often regarded as a sign of weakness, it takes a lot of strength and courage to take such a step and truly commit to the process. If we can free ourselves from the judgment of ourselves and the people around us, we can open up to a world of better communication, better physical interactions (yes, sex) and improvement in ourselves.