Feb. 18, 2019 | Being in a relationship can be challenging and all couples go through difficult times. Couples therapy helps couples to gain a better understanding of each other, resolve conflicts or betrayals, and to improve their relationships. In recent years, premarital counseling has helped many couples get off to a good start. Established couples may come to rekindle the romance they once had. Many issues can be resolved in just a few sessions. Deciding to go to couples therapy is difficult for many because it involves admitting that the relationship has problems, and that changes are necessary. People in good relationships are shown to have better health and life satisfaction overall, so any time invested in improving a relationship is well worth the effort. Couples counseling typically involves both partners, but sometimes one partner may work with a therapist alone.

Feb. 18, 2019 | Couples therapy is often recommended for those in a troubled relationship. Communicating in ways that engage rather than alienate is something that successful couples learn to do. Couples therapy can help with that. Trust issues also cause problems in a relationship. Forming and sustaining a secure attachment with one’s partner is the best insurance against infidelity, but we get little training in how to do that, and so many people struggle with trust issues. To help couples find ways to deepen their connection and navigate the frequent issues that trouble relationships, the UAMS Couples Center is holding a relationship enrichment series. It begins on March 26^th and runs through April 16th. The four-part series, to be held at UAMS, is designed to help couples of all ages make their relationship happier and healthier. For more information about this series, call (501) 526-8100.

Feb. 18, 2019 | Is there something that’s important to you but you don’t feel it’s worth mentioning to your partner because they won’t feel the same way about the subject? That’s one of the great things about couples therapy, the therapist’s office becomes a safe and supportive location where both parties can discuss things that are difficult to talk about in other settings. Or maybe there’s nothing wrong that you can pinpoint, but there is a sense of anxiety or dissatisfaction that is weighing the relationship down.  Perhaps you don’t feel as comfortable around your partner as you used to, or you resent them, but can’t determine why you feel this way. These are symptoms of a relationship problem.  It doesn’t mean that either person is to blame. It means that something needs to be sorted out.   Having a professional working with you in a comfortable setting can go a long way in solving these problems.

Feb. 18, 2019 | You’ve determined that you and your significant other are in need of counseling. But how do you determine what kind of therapist would be best for you and your partner?  Recommendations from family members or friends who have received good couples therapy is a good place to start. Members of the clergy often know of therapists who are trained in this area, but it is important to understand that not every therapist is trained to work with couples. Couples therapy differs significantly from individual therapy. Make sure that you ask any potential therapist about their experience in dealing with relationship issues. Both partners should feel comfortable with the therapist they chose, and neither should be made to feel like they are they are the sole cause of the problem. Sometimes you need to interview several therapists before deciding on one which you and your partner want to work with.

Feb. 18, 2019 | Once you and your partner have settled on a couples therapist to deal with your relationship issues, be prepared for some challenges. It can take a while to get at the root of a problem and some dysfunctional patterns of relating are learned early on, and practiced for years. Some couples are conflict averse and feel awkward about revealing their true feelings. Others are ready to fight and launch into immediate conflict. Becoming aware of rewarding alternatives is the first step toward change. A trained professional can help identify dysfunctional patterns of interaction and help the couple move forward into new ways of relating. They are facilitators, coaches, and educators. Couples who learn to seek true understanding, communicate needs clearly and non-aggressively, and collaborate towards solutions that are fair and just for both people can resolve almost anything.