Far too many partners involved in a relationship feel guilt and shame when it comes to attending couples therapy. However, ignoring the signs of a troubled relationship can lead to the end of the relationship. Couples therapy can help partners resolve differences, as well as learn the signs that indicate a relationship needs a considerable amount of professional support.
Intimacy is Gone
One of the first signs of a troubled relationship is a lack of intimacy. The lack of interest by one or both partners places a strain on the other elements that make up a strong bond between partners. Most romantic relationships go through periods when intimacy wanes, but eventually makes a comeback for a wide variety of reasons. If your romantic relationship has turned cold, couples therapy can help you find the solutions for regaining intimacy.
Lack of Trust
A healthy romantic relationship begins with the development of trust. However, trust is a fragile thing that when broken, tends to remain broken. A certified couples therapist can help two romantic partners discover the root causes for breaking the bond of trust, as well as taking the steps required to rebuild trust slowly. Regaining trust between two romantic partners does not materialize overnight; it takes a considerable amount of work and patience.
If a partner has started to turn to other people for emotional support because the bond of trust has disappeared, the time has come for both partners to undergo couples therapy. Psychological testing also can help discover what has led to the dissolution of trust between two partners.
Lying About Finances
When two people embark on a journey full of romance, they must do more than work hard to retain the passion in the relationship. They also have to share every other component that defines a successful romantic relationship, which includes finances. You do not have to share a bank account to share financial information with each other.
Although romance outside of a marriage represents one of the most common reasons why partners start distrusting each other, lying about finances is also one of the most common reasons for violating trust. Hiding receipts, credit card statements, and the latest credit score report all involve some form of deceit when it comes to a couple’s finances.
Poor Communication
Romantic relationships typically hit the critically damaged stage when one or both partners refuses to communicate. Abrupt answers and a lack of interest in the other partner’s personal and professional lives represent two examples of when couples experience a communication breakdown. Communication is much more than “I’m heading to work.” It is about sharing thoughts that you do not share with anyone else.
Fear of communicating is often the result of a fear of rejection. Fear of any kind does not constitute a healthy romantic relationship.
Remember that romantic relationships go through ups and downs. The key for both partners is to smooth out the downs by getting professional advice from a certified couples therapist. Individual adult therapy can also help partners mend a troubled relationship.