Marriage Therapist – Do You Really Need One?

When is it time to see a marriage therapist? Perhaps, since you are asking yourself that question, the time is now.

Seeking any kind of psychological help, including family therapy, still carries a stigma in America. You might even think of it as desperate and admitting defeat. Take a moment though, to think about your relationship practically. If this is your first marriage, then you have no experience at it. If you are contemplating your second or third trip to a divorce lawyer, then perhaps you have the wrong experience. Marriage therapists are trained to identify the problems in relationships that you or your spouse may be missing and to provide help in overcoming obstacles that couples may feel are insurmountable.

Your relationship with your spouse is the most important part of your life. Selecting the right therapist for both of you should be no less important. Seek references from medical professionals that you trust and even friends who have been to one. See only a marriage therapist with a valid license to practice from the state. Also, check to see if the professional specializes in counseling couples and is a member of a reputable organization, such as the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

Once you find a counselor with the proper credentials, do not be intimidated by the certificates on the wall. You have the right to ask about his or her experience level, success rate with couples, and views on divorce being preferable to staying together under certain circumstances. You are also not stuck with the first professional you select. Finding one that both you and your spouse respect is crucial. If your therapist seems disrespectful, not engaged, or ineffective at helping you to mend and grow your marriage, then you may want to consider finding a new one.

Keep in mind though, that your communication with the therapist is just as crucial. You must be completely honest with your counselor, and be willing to accept honesty from your therapist and spouse. There are many things, which can create turmoil in a married relationship. Among the top contributors to divorce are poor communication, financial problems, infidelity, and abuse. In the face of challenges such as these and with your marriage on the line, there has never been a more critical time for the truth than during counseling.