What is Marital Counselling?
Marital counselling, also known as 'marriage counselling' or 'marital therapy. It is a form of counselling for married couples or couples engaged and on their path to getting married.
There is a difference between the actual and ideal life; sometimes, striving for the perfect life can lead to conflict. Most conflicts in marriage happen because one or both partners want to have a perfect relationship. In marriage counselling, the counsellor helps the couple understand each other's actions and some parts of their personalities. Most importantly, they guide the couple to accept each other as they are.
What are the types of Marital Therapy?
Marriage is a highly crucial phase of anyone's life. Certain couples have issues where they feel hesitant to talk out their confusion and anxiety with the person before they tie the knot. The couple later, however, cannot remain happy. Counselling works at this juncture as well.
Marriage counselling has two types. The goals of these two types of counselling could be very different. The two type’s are-
- Pre-Marital Counselling:
Pre-marital counselling can be opted for by couples who are in a relationship and want to take their relationship to the next level, i.e., marriage. In the case of an arranged marriage, the couple might not have an opportunity to discuss their ideologies with each other or will find them odd when they come to know that their and their partner's ideas are not compatible. Here, the counsellor can guide the couple to understand his compatibility, beliefs, values, and so on, which will let them know their partner much better.
- Post-Marital Counselling:
The counselling type, whose name suggests that this kind of counselling is for the couple who are already married, no one is bounded by years, whether it's about years of marriage or types of marriage when it comes to post-marital therapy sessions. There are so many different choices and ways of thinking between the married couple. Sometimes, the couples may face problems expressing their emotions or thoughts to their partner; sometimes, they might not be similar in their parenting, or they might not have been intimate enough. Such issues are addressed through post-marriage counselling therapy.
How Does Marital Therapy Work?
Marital therapy is not magic. The couple needs to give their all to see results. Most of the time, what we look at is the upper layer of the problem. The cause of any issue may be deep-rooted; uncovering that is what happens in a counselling session.
In marital counselling sessions, various exercises and talk therapy enable the couple to gain insight. Usually, the biggest problem in a married couple's life is 'misunderstandings', and conflicts result from misunderstandings. In marital counselling sessions, the counsellor restates what each person says to make sure their feelings are clearly understood by their spouse. This practice helps reduce misunderstandings.
What is the goal of marital therapy?
The objective of marital therapy differs from one couple to another, as the issues differ with every couple. In the case of intimacy issues, the primary Goal can be finding the root cause of the problem and then working on creating a plan to discuss the issue with both partners.
Some of the key objectives in marital therapy would be to lead the couple to simple communication, make them sympathetic towards one another's needs, reduce their defenses, and find one another's 'self,' i.e., their personality, etc.
What is the success rate of marital therapy?
The current success rate of marital counselling is approximately 70-80 percent. You need to take a step, believe in counselling, and give them your 100%.
Why do couples take marital therapy?
Marriage could be like a roller coaster. It can take you higher and higher at full speed, or it can take you down. It can also take you on a straight way without the ups and downs. All in all, there can be unpredictable times in a marriage. But when you realize that you are continuously scared or anxious on that roller coaster or are shouting at full pace while on it, it is time to seek help.
Marital counselling can be opted for many reasons such as:
- Communication issue.
- Intimacy issue.
- Extended family conflicts.
- Separation or divorce.
- Conflict regarding parental styles.
- Failure to understand the point of view of each other.
- Decision making.
- Anger management.
What are the techniques used in Marital Therapy?
Different techniques are used in these counseling sessions. The therapist decides which techniques would be helpful for the couple depending on the concerns they are facing. Here is a glimpse of some methods which might interest you-
- Emotionally Focused Therapy:
The counsellor wants to help the couple talk about their feelings. They will guide them to understand the emotions behind their thoughts and share this with each other.
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy:
This therapy is based on the concept that it makes one understand how thoughts influence behaviour. This makes the individual realize how his thoughts regulate his activities and how that also has to be the case with the spouse. Here, the focus of the therapist is thought reversal.
- Imago Relationship Therapy:
The basis of this type of therapy is that we impose our definition of love that we had in mind in childhood to our spouses. The problems can exist at that stage of life, and the therapist gently urges and encourages the client to know what may bring an understanding and lead to the resolutions of problems.
- Solution-Focused Therapy:
At times, the couple becomes so engrossed in the problem that however simple the solution could be, they cannot reach to it. In such cases, solution-focused therapy performs miracles. Instead of finding the root cause of their problems, the counselor works on guiding couples to find the solution.
- Insight-Gaining Therapy:
Insight means deep understanding of someone or something. It is a 'Eureka' or 'Aha!' moment for the couple when a counsellor tries to provide insight to their issue and then they try to connect dots.
- Positive Psychology Technique:
This technique can be beautifully applied on couples who feel they have lost the spark in their relationship. This technique helps them to remember all excellent characteristics in their marriage, reminisce their adventurous days, and recreate it all over again!
What are the Benefits of Marital Therapy?
Marital therapy is not only for couples who are having issues in their marriage; it can also be beneficial for couples who want to enrich their married life or ensure that they are, indeed, in a happy marriage.
It is said that you cannot change a person's behaviour, but you can implement change in your behaviour or thoughts. Similarly, if you are open to implementing the changes, without being rigid, that you feel are necessary after gaining insight from the counselling sessions, then you can see immense benefits of counselling.
Few of the most important benefits that the couple can get after or during the marital counselling sessions are:
- Transparency in discussing any issue.
- Communicating clearly.
- Understanding each other better.
- Reaching to a decision collectively.
- It helps in achieving personal growth.
Individuality is most important in one's life. But most of the time, we are recognized by our roles. In marriage, the individual is also seen as only wife or husband. Here the individuality of a person might get lost, leading to varied issues in the marriage. Marital counsellor helps the couple to understand that sometime they need to realize that their partner is not just their wife or husband. Still, they are an individual too and understanding that is the most essential benefit of marital counselling.
When to Seek Marriage Counselling?
Every couple fights. But when the fight turns into a war or a cold war, the couple can take a step forward and consider marital counselling. The couple need not wait till the volcano bursts; they can start the counselling when they start acknowledging the triggers. The couple can seek counselling when they feel they have grown apart, in cases of infidelity, or when they are going through a big transition, etc.
The couple do not necessarily seek counselling only in extreme situations; they may consider it if they feel they are losing their spark in the marriage or if they want to ensure a happy marriage.
Seeking counselling is mandatory when it is about divorce. In this case, the process might vary.
"A great marriage is not about being the 'perfect couple.’ It is about two imperfect people who learn to appreciate their differences. – Dave Meurer. Sometimes, thriving for perfection can lead to distress, and thriving for happiness can lead to wellbeing. Know which path your marriage is going on!
Why choose Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital for Marital Therapy/Marital Counselling in Lucknow, India?
Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital is one of the best hospitals for Marital Therapy/Marital Counselling in Lucknow, India. Our experienced psychiatrists and relationship counsellors use advanced, evidence-based therapeutic approaches to accurately assess relationship dynamics and effectively address various marital concerns, including communication breakdown, trust issues, emotional disconnect, conflict resolution, intimacy problems, and pre-marital counselling. We offer personalized counselling session planning, thorough couples evaluation, and dedicated relationship-focused follow-up care. With effective and affordable pricing, our Marital Therapy/Marital Counselling cost is suitable for couples seeking high-quality and result-oriented relationship support in Lucknow, India.
To seek an Expert Consultation for Marital Therapy/Marital Counselling in Lucknow, India:
Call us at +91-9076972161
Email at care@tenderpalm.com
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