Are you considering marriage counseling services but don’t know where to start? There are many types to choose from but the most sensible place to begin is generally couples marriage therapy, which will cover all the basics but can also refer you to abuse counselors or other counselors if need be. These programs are designed to be short-term and solution-focused towards an end goal. In most cases, just three months of weekly, one-hour sessions will clear up the root cause of your marital dissatisfaction or household tension.
For many middle-aged couples, the arguments revolve around finances, careers and kids. If you or your spouse have debt problems, are big spenders or argue over who wields the power of the purse, then perhaps credit counselors can help eradicate the source of your frustration. Often, when we’re strapped for cash, we begin to act out of character and we may begin to communicate poorly because we’re afraid to face the facts. Prioritizing becomes exceedingly difficult if you are living penny to penny.
Additionally, career counselors can sometimes offer counseling for marriage. There may be arguments over retiring, changing jobs, re-entering the workforce after child rearing or not making a stable income. Lastly, disagreements over child rearing can tear at the very fabric of a marital bond, leaving the children to become the unfortunate casualties of such squabbles. A specialized family marriage counselor can help readjust your attitudes and focus, thus arming you with better parenting skills and unified goals.
For those who were raised with faith, this is a good anchor to return to for marriage counseling services. Maybe you were married in the church and started on the right foot, going to services each Sunday, but as your schedules became busier and busier you lost your way. An old proverb says “A family that prays together, stays together,” which is entirely true. Choosing to be together is more than just a legal contract, it is a spiritual bond and communal journey. Using pastoral counselors to rebuild your spiritual connection can be very comfortable because you’re dealing with someone whom you already know, trust and respect a great deal. Christian marriage counselors can be for couples, groups or individuals. They can be in sessions, seminars or workshops and they’re generally very cost-effective.
Marriage counseling services for gay marriages may also be sought. Not all marriage therapists are trained to deal with the complex set of issues that come along with civil marriages or gay-lesbian-bisexual relationships. Just like any other relationship, gay couples can have a communication breakdown, suffer infidelity, or suffer differing perceptions on sex, co-parenting or friendships. The San Francisco Gay Couples Institute deals with local partners primarily but also offers special “Accelerated Relationship Repair” for those who are flying in for the weekend. For a more discreet approach, Lumient Counseling offers over-the-phone support and advice, as well as online therapy for about $2/minute. O’Mara and Associates, based out of Indiana, offers workshops in almost every state, as well as remote assistance if you’re not willing to fly. Many local communities where gay marriages are held also have pastoral counselors through the churches where civil unions are held.
