Couples Therapy

Marriage Counseling Winston-Salem NC

Rising Hope Clinical Assistance offers Partners Therapy and Marriage Counseling in Winston-Salem NC.

Marriage Counseling, also known as Couples Therapy, typically brings couples or partners together for joint therapy sessions. With the assistance of a therapist, couples will learn skills and techniques to better their relationship, such as open communication and problem-solving.

Common Reasons People go to Couples Counseling

• • Loss of Connection
  • Communication Problems
  • Financial Issues
  • Lack of Intimacy
  • Parenting Struggles

Stages of Relationships that Require Counseling

Early Relationship: you are in a committed relationship and need skills communicating and understanding each other's expectations

Power Struggle: increased arguing, negativity, and disappointment characterize daily living.

Disengagement Stage: one or both parties have lost touch with one another. You and your partner contemplate whether you have anything in common and have begun to avoid each other. There is a lack of affection and intimacy at this stage.

Deceptive Stage: emotional affairs, cheating, or suspicious behavior may happen at any stage. However, this behavior can create serious trust issues and is often a cry for help in the relationship.

Critical Stage: According to Gottman research, "The Four Horsemen," the following are key symptoms that indicate you are close to a break-up or divorce:

1. 1. 1. Criticism: voicing a complaint, or offering a critique is much different than criticizing your partner.
      2. Contempt: name-calling, mocking with sarcasm, eye-rolling, or treating each other with disrespect. This stage is far beyond criticism and has reached the point of attacking your partner's character.
      3. Defensiveness: being in self-protective mode and warding off any perceived attack that would result in blame.
      4. Stonewalling: avoiding or ignoring interaction with each other.

Purpose of Couples Therapy

Changing the patterns that have made a negative impact on a couple's relationship.

Helping couples make decisions to ensure a happier and healthier relationship dynamic. Critical decisions include choosing to communicate more effectively to reconnect with your spouse, deciding to forgive infidelity, or choosing to amicably separate. The key is to learn and identify what those key patterns and issues are to improve your current relationship and not bring burdens into the future.

Talk to your primary care doctor about your symptoms; or seek help directly from a mental health professional. If you’re reluctant to see a mental health professional, reach out to someone else who may be able to help guide you to treatment, whether it’s a friend or loved one, a teacher, a faith leader, or someone else you trust.