When is Marriage Therapy Needed?
by Sarah-Gayle
Posted on 19-11-2022 12:22 AM
Ever had a Marriage Tantrum?
When I hear the word tantrum, I quickly think about a toddler. Toddlers are a unique combination of helpless and selfish. This create a level of neediness and demands that often gets the attention they are looking for and the result they wanted for themselves. Very rarely will a toodler think about the needs, desires, and fears of the people around them. And yet parents love their kids. The hopeful thing is that the toddler will mature both physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. As the child gets older the expectation is that the toddler matures. The child becomes more aware of the needs, dreams, and desires of the people around them. Also the toddler elarns new skills that allow them to do many of the basic human actions on their won.
Can you imagine if this didnt change? If the toddler turned into a teenager, or an adult and still cried and yelled for help every time something was hard or didnt go there way? It would be sad. It would be a sign of some type of developmental challenge. The reality is often when working with marriages, I discover that one or both of the spouses in consistently throwing a temper tantrum. They are adults, but the words and expressions they use when describing the challenges in their marriages remind me of children acting out in hopes of getting what they want.
The reality is most of us have been in a similar moment. There is something unique about the marriage relationship. The intimacy, the longevity, the duration, the familiarity that brings out different things in people that we rarely see in other relationships. Tantrums are not pretty, some are outright gross, boogers tears, sniffling, maybe even a snort or two. But it is ok. If we get help. Toddlers cry out for help.
As a marriage therapist, I wish more marriages cried out for help more often and sooner. Studies have shown that many marriages wait until nearly 6 years before getting help. Can you imagine a toddler waiting 6 years before getting the food, water, or affection they are crying out for. The child wouldnt survive. Well the same can be said of marriages. When couples wait this long before they reach out for therapy it makes the recovery journey much harder.
Regardless of where you and your relationship may be on this timeline it is never too late. As long as we have breath in our lungs, there is hope. I encourage anyone who reads this blog post. If you are considering marriage therapy, then just make the jump and do it. It is better to get help early and than late. Below are some of the most common areas marriage therapy can help with:
- Communication
- Sexual Intimacy Issues
- Stonewalling
- Financial Pressures
- Parenting
- Division/Unity
- Conflict Resolution
- In Law Interactions
- Healthy Boundaries
- Retirement Planning
- Retirement
- Career Changes
- Grief
- Major Family Moves
- Empty Nesting
The list above it long. The reality is the list could still be exponentially longer. As humans trying to live in harmony with another human, we will face challenges. But with guidance, support, encouragement, and skills we can overcome what ever challenges life may bring our way. You are not alone. But you do need to reach out. We have a team of therapist that can assist you with your relationship. We are experienced in bringing major break throughs. Call us today to schedule a free consultation.
Hope Relentless Marriage and Relationship Center
3231 E Blue Sage Rd
Gilbert, Az 85297
(480) 530-7224