Important Aspects On Couples Counseling Chicago Residents Should Understand

By Jason Ellis


Even for couples that have been married for years and have been happy for the most part, conflicts are not uncommon. Disagreements range from those involving minute household issues to those involving serious matters that have the potential to end the relationship. Therapy is an effective intervention when things seem to be getting out of hand. There are a number of things on couples counseling Chicago residents need to know if they wish to have this therapy.

Making a decision to go for therapy is not easy for most couples. The general belief is that counseling is a last resort measure to save a marriage or relationship after everything else has failed. For a great majority, the suggestion is in fact made by a relative or friend. Nothing can be further from the truth. Having therapy is useful even for a relationship that is considered stable.

Once the couple decides to sign up for therapy, their next task is to look for a qualified therapist (marriage counselor). Recommendations can be obtained from relatives, friends and from the internet. If you cannot find a therapist then consider other alternatives. Doctors, nurses, psychiatrists and psychologists are have some training in therapy and may be of help. Religious leaders may also offer some useful advice.

The length of therapy varies depending on the severity of the problem. In general there are short term therapies and long term therapies. Short term therapies have a duration of between one and three sessions (focused therapy is a sub-type that lasts a lot shorter) while the long term therapies are anything between 12 and 24 sessions. The average time taken during a single session is 30 to 45 minutes.

For the therapy to be successful, each party to the process must recognize the fact that each individual has a unique personality with a distinct value system. Being party to different institutions and societal organizations may mean that behaviors may vary to some extent. It is not always possible to get other people to agree with our beliefs. Counseling focuses on solving underlying problems by helping partners reach a compromise position with regard to their beliefs.

Every problem has a history. Some of the issues that couples have to deal with take months or years before they become evident. It is important for couples to recognize the origin of their problems if they are to deal with them effectively. Poor communication may be the reason as to why some of the problems take quite long to solve. The partners need to learn how to talk to each other on a regular basis.

The work of a therapist is to be a facilitator. They will not issue instructions on how a particular problem should be sorted out. The best that they can do is to offer their personal opinion and some guidance. The couple must remember that solutions will have to come from them. Partners should be able to freely discuss their affairs before the therapist without the fear of being judged.

There are numerous factors that may lead to a strained marital relationship. Lack of trust, affairs, financial issues, failure to meet responsibilities and family conflicts are just but a few examples. Couples or marriage counseling us designed to help partners appreciate that they have inherent differences in their value systems and are bound to differ in opinion from time to time. They learn how to communicate in the most effective manner.




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