Do You And Your Partner Struggle With Open And Honest Communication?
Have you been hiding your true feelings from your partner to avoid confrontation? Are you tired of trying to compromise when it seems as though your and your partner’s respective value systems are incompatible? Have you sacrificed your goals, hopes, and dreams so your partner can pursue theirs only to realize that the same hasn’t been done for you?
Maybe you’ve noticed that your partner doesn’t honor your boundaries, or perhaps you fear they are trying to change you. Or, bored with the monotony of your relationship, you may have little to say when talking to one another. It could be that you both struggle with intimacy because you lack the spark you once felt for one another.
For most couples, relationship woes are par for the course, yet this doesn’t change the fact that communication issues can leave you feeling drained, tired, and unfulfilled. When communication breaks down, you may be the one who’s left picking up the pieces of your self-esteem. Or if a partner causes you to question your beliefs, values, and other aspects of your identity, you’re likely often left to nurse the wounds of inadequacy.
The emotional toll of relationship issues is palpable, but have you also considered how these issues can impact your health? Feelings of stress may put you in a bad mood and can set the stage for deeper mental health challenges such as anxiety or depression. This same stress can put you at a higher risk for physical health issues such as obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure, among others.
Finding the courage to navigate relationship challenges isn’t easy. But marriage counseling can serve as a bridge to more open and honest communication, and a stronger understanding and acceptance of one another in your relationship.
Palm Harbor Call Now Tampa/Lutz
The Desire To Be Understood Is Universal
Everyone yearns to be understood, and when we are, we can walk with our heads held high knowing that our partner is in alignment with us. On the other hand, when we are unseen or misunderstood, we’re left feeling alone and unworthy.
Yet the truth is we aren’t alone—many other partners struggle with communication and understanding one another.
We end up butting heads because even within our partnerships, we carry our own individual stories and identities. We maintain unique beliefs, values, hurts, and joys that influence how we relate to one another. With all these individual factors at play, we are bound to experience marriage or partnership problems from time to time.
In addition, a cultural focus on the external rather than internal can create tension in our relationships.. Because we rely so heavily on high-speed, on-demand technology, we’ve developed the attention span of a fruit fly. And our pursuit of upward mobility, while noble, also cultivates within us an inner drive that can overshadow other areas of our lives.
This focus on the external can cause us to neglect our emotional realities and we end up fearing our emotions because they have become unknown. So, when we feel frustrated or lonely, we likely push these feelings away, afraid of their existence. Rather than seek marriage advice, we’d rather stomach our relationship hurts than show vulnerability or weakness. And as a result, we deprioritize our marriage or partnership to the point that therapy is needed to help us rebuild a connection.
In marriage counseling, you don’t have to face the unknown parts of yourself alone. A counselor can offer a nonjudgmental ear to help you and your partner objectively walk through your marriage or partnership struggles, and from there help you tenderly build the communication skills you need so that your relationship can thrive.
Palm Harbor Call Now Tampa/Lutz
Marriage Counseling Gives Your Relationship The Tools To Rebuild And Improve Communication
The goal of couples counseling is to give you and your partner tools to communicate effectively, understand one another’s perspective, and diligently work through relationship issues so that you can find more satisfaction in your marriage or partnership. With more than 35 years of combined experience, therapists at TBAC Group have helped many couples to develop healthier interactions through a deeper understanding and appreciation for one another.
We help couples to rebuild their foundation starting with a neutral and encouraging environment. Here, each partner’s experiences and grievances are honored equally. This counseling approach has allowed our clients to work through challenges such as marriage or partnership roles, differing belief systems, finances, intimacy and sex, parenting decisions, boundaries, personal histories, and past trauma.
Treatment begins in our first session together, where I will ask you to fill out intake forms. During this session, I will also go over with you your legal right to privacy. Then we will delve right into learning more about your relationship—both the good and the challenging—from each partner’s perspective.
Communication, or lack thereof, is the common denominator in many of the issues that couples struggle with. Because of this, sessions will focus primarily on improving communication skills that can be translated in different settings and situations, even outside the context of couples counseling.
In addition, we will use evidence-based exercises to build your communication and interpersonal skills. Exercises may focus on how to listen actively without interrupting your partner, acknowledge the positives of your relationship, express your love and frustrations, check-in regularly for one’s feelings, and openly discuss finances. As a therapist who has helped many couples to successfully face their challenges, I will help guide you both through these exercises so you may develop a deeper sensitivity to you and your partner’s needs.
If each of us can come to the table with our eyes and ears open—me with unwavering support and you with the courage to face your problems—we can accomplish so much. I am confident that marriage counseling can help you cultivate a healthier approach to your relationship. And the communication tools you gain in counseling will help you and your partner fully realize the potential of your relationship and add to your quality of life.
But you may still have questions about marriage counseling…
Palm Harbor Call Now Tampa/Lutz
The cost of counseling is outside of my budget.
Marriage counseling is an investment. Its benefits might not be immediately clear, but they will reveal themselves in the long-run. We try our best to help couples afford our services, especially given that finances can be a challenging area in many relationships. So, to help, we offer sessions at a reduced rate for cash-pay clients and we also take various insurance plans. If interested, we offer a free consultation so that you can get an idea of what financial options might be available to you.
Palm Harbor Call Now Tampa/Lutz
My partner and I have tried everything but would prefer to separate amicably–can you help us with this?
We want to stress we work primarily with couples wanting to strengthen their relationship. However, in the rare occasion that a couple simply wants to end things amicably, then counseling can help you to separate in a healthy way. Counseling can equip you with the skills to communicate with one another over the course of a separation, and de-escalate potential conflict. Counseling helps make the overall transition from marriage to separation smoother by also developing solutions for situations where both partners are still involved (i.e. with children).
Palm Harbor Call Now Tampa/Lutz
Therapy carries a stigma that I’m not ready to wear.
Words like “therapy” and “mental health” can carry negative connotations in a society that doesn’t always acknowledge human fallibility. Yet our world has become more accepting of people exploring their vulnerabilities and finding help for their problems. You are in good company with many couples who have sought out marriage counseling to work through their relationship issues. And in seeking help, you are helping to release the stigma of counseling while bettering yourself in the process.
Palm Harbor Call Now Tampa/Lutz
Are You Ready To Authentically Know, Hear, And See Your Partner?
You deserve to experience reciprocal love and understanding from your partner, and they deserve the same from you. If you’re ready to build a stronger relationship, I invite you to call us at 727-422-0996 or contact us via email at info@tbacgroup.com. Our coordinator will be glad to answer any questions about the relationship challenges you’re experiencing.