Teamwork is essential to a healthy marriage. It’s also an important part of therapy or counseling. If you and your partner seek help in the form of treatment (sometimes called “marriage counseling”), you’ll reap more benefits if you put in the same effort. The following tips can help you and your partner achieve better results in building a healthy romantic relationship.
Be prepared to be yourself
Many people feel pressured to hide their flaws or act like the perfect partner. Fear of showing vulnerability is common, but sharing your thoughts and feelings is essential for a healthy romantic relationship. Hiding your true self may work temporarily but ultimately hurt your romantic relationship. Being true to yourself can help you build intimacy and a stronger connection with your partner. Research shows that honest people engage in less harmful behaviors and have more positive romantic relationships. Additionally, authenticity allows you and your partner to grow together, facilitating a deeper connection and understanding.
Think about external influences on your love marriage
The people around us can significantly impact how we see things, including love marriages. These influences can be beneficial but can also be harmful. When considering a love marriage, consider whether outside opinions affect how you view your partner.
For example, if your friends and family are critical of your partner, you may view them negatively. It’s okay to ask others for advice, but in a healthy love marriage, you and your partner must be on the same Team. Discuss these implications with your therapist and set boundaries with specific friends or family members if necessary.
Define and Share Your Goals
Setting and defining your therapy goals is one of the most important steps you can take. Before your first session, talk with your partner about what you want to achieve through counseling. These goals will help you stay focused and track your progress over time.
Discussing your goals helps you and your partner is on the same page. Share your personal goals and work together to identify common goals. Common goals in couple’s therapy include:
Improving communication finding healthier ways to resolve conflicts Understanding the root causes of arguments
Be Honest
Everyone knows honesty is important, but lying in therapy is surprisingly common. A Columbia University study found that 93% of participants lied to their therapist. Remember, honesty is critical to effective treatment. You may be tempted to tell small lies to avoid embarrassment or to protect your partner’s feelings. Resist this urge and express your genuine thoughts and feelings, even if difficult. Although the truth is painful, honesty is essential to identifying and addressing problems in a love marriage.
Looking Back at the Past
Problems in love marriages often stem from past experiences. A love marriage with a caregiver in childhood can shape your expectations for a love marriage in the future. Talking about essential events from your past, including those before you met your partner can be very helpful.
Discussing past experiences can help you address current issues in your relationship and be more sensitive to each other’s needs. Opening up can lead to healing, helping you overcome past trauma and build a healthier relationship in the present with the help of your therapist.
Communicate Clearly and Listen Actively
Good communication is critical to getting the most out of therapy. Not only should you share your thoughts and feelings, but you should also take the time to explain them clearly. When your partner shares their opinion, listen carefully. Please don’t get defensive, but try to understand their thoughts. Research shows that active listening increases relationship satisfaction. Show them you’re interested in nodding, maintaining eye contact, and waiting for them to finish speaking before responding. Good communication is the foundation of a healthy relationship.
