Marriage Counseling
Have you ever considered marriage counseling but wondered if it’s right for you? At Redlands Christian Counseling we want to help you thrive in your marriage. The first step in doing this is to help you understand what marriage counseling is, what it isn’t, and if it’s right for you.
Here are some common questions about marriage counseling and answers that will help.
Get connected with a Christian Counselor
Contact our reception team at
(424) 438-2888
First of all, are you married? If you can answer yes to that question (no matter what state your marriage is in), marriage counseling is for you. We say this confidently because we believe that marriage counseling can help marriages with a broad spectrum of needs and issues. If you are married and want help, marriage counseling is a good place to start.
Any type of counseling is dependent on the participation and work people put into it. Rest assured, however, that we don’t expect you to overhaul everything in the first session. Marriage counseling is a process between the couple and the counselor. How much it works depends on your specific needs, each party in the marriage, and how we can work together to help.
One of the things you may need to let go of is the idea of whether it works. Counseling can help you with communication, goals, understanding, processing, addressing issues, and improving relationships. Marriage counseling is about helping you and your spouse.
Marriage counseling provides an opportunity for a married couple to talk to a counselor together. It typically focuses on concerns or issues that are affecting the marriage. These can sometimes include individual issues, but the focus of marriage counseling is how these impact your relationship as a couple.
In marriage counseling, you and your spouse will meet with a trained counselor. Often, you will meet in the counselor’s office, although remote options are available as well. When you are in the office, you will typically find a comfortable space with different seating options. This allows you and your spouse the opportunity to sit where you are comfortable as you talk with the counselor.
The counselor will typically ask guiding questions to help you and your spouse address the reason you are pursuing marriage counseling. Often, the session is fifty to sixty minutes, and it involves talking to the counselor and your spouse. It can also include different activities or methods aimed at helping you and your spouse find the help you need.
Couples can discuss whatever they want in marriage counseling. Some examples include:
- Feeling like your partner never understands you. This could indicate poor communication.
- Addressing a physical or emotional affair by either party.
- Never being able to agree when it comes to the kids or parenting decisions.
- Being on different pages spiritually.
- Worrying that your partner isn’t being honest, or they are going to leave.
- Disinterest in sex, inability to have sex, or other sexual concerns.
- Feeling disconnected from your spouse.
- The use of alcohol, drugs, or other substances by one or both parties.
- Addictions to things like shopping, social media, phone use, or pornography.
- A major life change such as moving, job loss, change in career, or a new season of life.
- Money concerns or disagreements.
These are just some examples of things we can address in counseling. The counselors in our office are committed to helping you with whatever you are dealing.
No. Counseling can be very beneficial for couples even if they are not facing an issue or challenge in their marriage. You can work together with your counselor to strengthen your marriage, discuss goals, or get help staying connected and communicating well with your partner.
If you are interested in marriage counseling, but your partner is not, that can feel difficult. Start by talking to your spouse in a non-confrontational way. This mustn’t be during a fight or disagreement. Choose a calm time when you can talk with each other respectfully.
When you bring it up with your spouse it helps to mention things like:
- How important they are to you.
- You are committed to working with them.
- You want to find a way to help them and you.
- Counseling is common (you can bring up other couples you know that pursued counseling).
- You can try it for a few sessions and then talk about whether you want to continue.
The counselors at Redlands Christian Counseling are here for you and your spouse. We are committed to helping you have a healthy, loving marriage. Connect with our office today to begin working toward the marriage you and your partner deserve.
Get connected with a Christian Counselor
Contact our reception team at
(424) 438-2888