Whether you’ve been married for decades or have been in a relationship for just a few months, Robin Bryant, Ph.D.’s couples counseling can add new dimensions of strength, trust, and optimism to your partnership.

Over the course of a long-term relationship, many circumstances can take their toll on a relationship. Issues dealt with by individuals will affect the couple collectively. What’s more, the networks of communication are frequently compromised, as people often withdraw into silence when difficulties arise.

Dr. Bryant takes an empathetic, compassionate approach to each couple, emphasizing the importance of honesty, transparency, effective communication, and attentive listening. If you are struggling in your relationship, you may feel like you’re alone in experiencing these problems. The reality, in fact, is that countless thousands of couples have been exactly where you are.

Below is a list of 8 common relationship issues that couples’ therapy can help you articulate and overcome.

  1. Physical Health Problems
  2. Health problems, such as illnesses or injuries can place a tremendous strain on a relationship. The ill or injured party in the relationship frequently finds themselves more dependent on their significant other than ever. Taking on the role of a caregiver offsets the dynamic of a partnership considerably.

    Speaking to a couples’ therapist or relationship counselor can assist both members of the party through the difficult, stressful moments of dealing with illness. You can voice concerns on topics like an obligation, fear, and choosing empathy over sympathy. Couples therapy can strengthen and empower your relationship as you navigate these moments.

  3. Mental Health Problems
  4. While not nearly as visible, the effects of mental health problems in a relationship can be just as significant – perhaps even more so – as physical health problems. One or both parties in a partnership may be dealing with mental health problems, ranging from depression or anxiety to personality disorders.

    While therapy with a mental health professional is the best way to deal with mental health problems, couples counseling can examine the impact of mental health on a marriage or relationship. A particular emphasis is placed on communication, which is often stagnant in moments of mental illness.

  5. Addictions
  6. While often thought of in terms of drug or alcohol dependence, addictions can take many different forms. Pornography, shopping, gambling, overeating, and sex are just some of the addictions individuals and couples can struggle with. Addictions can take serious tolls on the financial and general well-being of couples.

    Couples therapy provides a non-judgmental environment in which couples can frankly articulate the addictions facing their relationship. By admitting the problem, you are already making huge strides in working towards addiction-free living. Together, you can explore various solutions to free yourself from the trap of addiction and move forward as a stronger couple.

  7. Infidelities
  8. Affairs and unfaithful partners are a primary cause of breakups and divorces. Infidelities can be devastating to the point where they can seem beyond resolving. Whether one partner or both have been unfaithful, the consequences of infidelity can be devastating.

    A chief factor in all relationships is trust. When infidelity has been committed, trust has been broken, perhaps irrevocably. Couples therapy allows you to move forward and evaluate if and how trust can be re-established in a relationship. With truth and honesty, relationship counseling considers the perspectives of both parties. If there is hope for the relationship and the problems can be salvaged, we examine ways to move into the future.

  9. Parenting Matters
  10. The hallmark of many relationships and marriages is the arrival of children. Being a parent involves an entirely separate skillset than being a partner and calls for both independence and cooperation on the part of the parents.

    In couples’ therapy, you can articulate the various responsibilities of parenthood and the impact that it has on the state of your relationship. Topics of discussion can include, the sharing of time and monetary costs, splitting responsibilities, and other matters concerning parenting.

    Couples counseling can help you develop a stronger partnership and, consequently, a better approach to parenting.

  11. Blended Families
  12. Many families are often known as blended families— involving remarriages, stepchildren and parents, and other factors. Blended families often deal with particular challenges and hardships, namely due to the fact that the arrangements were frequently unexpected and may have been unwanted.

    Couples therapy allows the opportunity to evaluate the dynamic of a blended family. Issues like family separation or tension, discipline expectations of the stepparent, equality of attention, sibling rivalry, and adjustments to new homes are just some topics that can be addressed and assessed through relationship counseling. Whether you and your spouse are newly together or have been together for years, couples’ therapy can help!

  13. Codependency
  14. While many relationship issues can successfully be overcome, a codependent relationship may be destined to failure and the issues can significantly worsen over time. A lack of equality in relationships creates an excessive reliance on partners, leading to a variety of problems.

    Codependent relationships are often accompanied by other serious relationship issues, such as addictions and substance abuse, mental illnesses, and unhealthy or unstable senses of self.

    Couples therapy can help you realize if your relationship is a codependent one and if there are particular areas of inequality. If your relationship is indeed a codependent or addicted one, we can help you move forward in the best way possible.

  15. Separation and Divorce
  16. People often assume that couples’ therapy is solely to strengthen and improve. However, you may be surprised at how effective it is when dealing with separation and divorce.

    In these cases, communication is often severely restricted or compromised, and as a result, even minor decisions can be difficult to make. Couples therapy offers a neutral environment in which the networks of communication can be facilitated.

    To discuss the division of possessions, alimony, custody, and other aspects of a relationship separation or termination, couples’ therapy may be the ideal medium. A qualified relationship counselor can be the perfect way to open communication and create mutually beneficial solutions for both parties.

    To schedule your couples counseling appointment, contact Robin Bryant, Ph.D. today!