Keeping a marriage together is no easy task. Every couple has their ups and downs. If you are worried that your marriage is falling apart, there are a few signs you can look for. In many cases, visiting a marriage counselor can help you and your spouse solve these problems before they get too big to handle. Couples counseling could be the most important step you ever take. Learn more about the signs that your marriage is having trouble and contact a marriage counselor today.
1. Trying to Control Your Spouse
For people with anxiety, self-esteem, and attachment issues, controlling other people’s actions may offer the illusion of safety and security. Controlling your partner can be overt or more subtle. An example of overly controlling behavior would be telling your spouse not to attend an event. An example of passive-aggressive, controlling behavior would be reminding them of something unpleasant that happened at another work event to discourage them from attending.
If you are worried that your partner is controlling you, confront them in a direct but loving way. In couples counseling, you can discuss these issues in a safe space with the help of an experienced therapist in an outpatient treatment capacity.
2. Responding to Jealousy with Passive Aggression
If you love your partner, you may get jealous from time to time when other people find them attractive or if they are spending more time with friends or at work than they usually do. Instead of trying to ignore these feelings, let your partner know if you’re feeling jealous of their time or attention. If they try to use it against you, this is a sign of other problems in the relationship.
Telling someone you feel a little jealous around someone is not an attempt to keep your partner away from anyone; it’s a way to keep communication lines open and allow your partner to be aware of your feelings. Couples counseling in Palm Beach Gardens, FL can help you learn how to communicate about these feelings in an effective way.
3. Lying About Money
Lying to your spouse about money corrodes trust and respect. Many couples face issues with money at some point in their marriage, and these issues can create distance. In couples counseling, you can discuss money problems with the help of a third party. Marriage counselors have experience in helping couples talk about these issues and work through them.
If you find that you or your spouse has lied about money, seek out help from a marriage counselor as soon as possible.
4. Relying Heavily on Your Parents
If you go running to your parents or your in-laws with your marital problems, you will never learn how to solve these problems as a couple. Extended families play a critical role in family dynamics, but they don’t need to be aware of the intricacies of your relationship. In some cases, family therapy can help address issues of codependency and attachment issues.
5. Becoming Divided by Children
You may not always agree with your spouse about the best ways to raise children, but those conversations should take place in private. Children can tell when their parents are divided. Kids don’t try to divide parents out of malice. Instead, they’re just trying to get what they want.
Encourage your children to have healthy, loving relationships by modeling your own healthy, loving relationship. This doesn’t mean pretending you don’t have problems; it means solving them with love, respect, patience, thought, and humor. It may also mean attending a family counseling program to address any issues as a unit.
If your marriage is in danger, reach out for help at Remedy Therapy. Our compassionate counselors in Palm Beach Gardens, FL can help you heal your marriage. Contact us for couples counseling at 561.414.2607 today.
