Relationships are highly meaningful to humans; however there is a catch because good relationships do not just happen. To nurture good relationships, people must invest heavily in social skills, time and energy. Since the people involved in relationships have their own opinions, priorities and objectives, there is always a possibility that differences will emerge and soon enough the relationship will begin getting strained. The good news is that in spite of their differences; couples can rediscover their love, commitment and passion if they decide to go for relationship counselling.
Though relationships are critical to humans, most do not endure the test of time. Helen Chen, a marriage expert in a recent lecture said that about 85 percent of relationships end in breakup. Studies show that current divorce rates in the US stands at about 50 percent. In spite of these grim statistics, people still trudge on, hoping that their next relationship will be successful.
Relationship breakups are caused by a wide range of factors. Money seems to be the number trip wire for most human interactions. Problems about finances can arise from one partner feeling that they are contributing more compared to the other, in some instances; it can be about simple discrepancies about what money should be spent on. Apart from money, modern couples often complain about not finding enough time to spend with each other. Social commitments, long hours at work and being busy with kids can all mess with even the best relationship. In addition, couples argue about sex and housework.
So is there hope for relationships? The answer is an emphatic yes. Relationships can thrive especially if couples go for relationship counseling as they start out. Relationship therapy helps people recognize and resolve conflicts as well as enhance their interactions. According to William Doherty, professor of family social science at the University of Minnesota, couples that consult relationships experts have a success rate of 70-80 percent.
Normally people do not view their relationships objectively and tend to have unrealistic expectations about their partners. A study conducted by a group from Heriot-Watt University discovered that many people have a twisted sense of what a perfect relationship entails. The group concluded that people get these unrealistic expectations from Hollywood love movies and narratives. This is where a relationship therapist comes to the rescue.
A relationship counselor or therapist can be a psychologist, psychiatrist, pastoral counselor or clinical social worker. The duty and function of the counselor is to listen, seek to understand, respect and facilitate better interactions between the people involved in the relationship. The counselor provides an ideal environment for confidential interaction to normalize feelings and enhance communication, enable both parties to be heard as well as empower a relationship to take control of its own decisions and destiny.
Ultimately, the goal of relationship counselling is give couples tools to solve their problems. During the course of therapy, people learn basic things about conflict and friendship that are easy to do and make total sense. The counselor will evaluate the couple’s relationship story and facilitate de-escalation of unnecessary conflicts. In addition, your therapist will facilitate the development of realistic and practical solutions to assist in setting the relationship back on track.