Marriage counseling Raleigh NC provides a safe space for couples to address their issues, openly discuss their thoughts, feelings, and concerns, and find ways to reconnect.  It's a judgment-free zone where the two people who still love but don't like each other anymore can work through their problems, understand any unhealthy patterns, and learn healthier ways to cope.

Often, relationship crashes arise because people have different expectations or don't talk about their needs, worries, and expectations in the right way.

But sometimes there are reasons why marriage counseling is not possible or even needed. Let’s dive in.

If you are exhausted of feeling alone and disconnected and hate the idea of feeling like this for another minute much less another few months, my specialized marriage retreats in North Carolina can provide the relief right here right now!

Other blog posts you might find helpful:

Why Marriage Counseling Doesn’t Work

Marriage Counseling Raleigh NC: Scheduling Sex

What is a Marriage Retreat in North Carolina?

Why EFT Focused Marriage Retreat in North Carolina?

We all know that a perfect relationship is a myth. Like all worthy things in life, a good relationship requires commitment and effort. However, many of us expect things to run smoothly in our relationships. So, it can be disappointing and painful when you lose connection and feel like you and your partner have grown apart.

But relationships change over time. Your relationship dynamics may change or you may struggle with commitment issues. You and your partner may have had unrealistic expectations. These issues can lead to poor communication, ongoing arguments, emotional disconnection, and relationship anxiety.

This is when you may start considering marriage counseling Raleigh NC. You are happy because you finally see a solution to your relationship difficulties. But there is one problem – your husband refuses to work on marriage and won’t go to counseling.

This still doesn’t mean that you should not seek individual therapy for relationship issues. You can (and should) still seek psychotherapy, and go to individual therapy for relationship issues. Here are the top three truths about relationship therapy with only one of the partners.

Marriage Counseling without Spouse is Not Ideal-Marriage Counseling Raleigh NC

This is true. Relationship counseling for one is not ideal from the marriage counseling standpoint because we can make so much growth and movement happen when both partners are present and willing. But counseling for one is still better than no therapy or counseling altogether.

Although couples therapy is typically the best setting for addressing relationship issues, individual counseling can be a good alternative if your partner is refusing to attend therapy with you.

Why?

Because even though your partner will not change, you will. Relationship counseling Raleigh NC is your chance to start changing your own thinking patterns and behavior. Throughout our sessions, we will work on your self-discovery. You will get to know yourself better, to understand your share in your relationship issues, and to clarify your expectations from the relationship.

This will help you change the mindset about your position in the relationship, help understand your partner’s perspective, and learn that conflicts aren’t necessarily a negative thing.

Once you overcome the fear of conflicts, you will feel strengthened to approach arguments self-assuredly, and to express your thoughts, emotions, and needs assertively but respectfully. This will boost your confidence, which may consequently improve your relationship.

Relationship Counseling for One Improves Self-Awareness-Couples Therapy Raleigh NC

Relationship counseling for one is a great way to work on your personal issues and improve self-awareness. It allows a person the opportunity to create space for their unique experience, process vulnerable emotions, and make a new meaning. Sometimes this space and self-reflection turn out to be the exact thing that was needed to make an important decision or a realization, without the other partner actually participating.

Individual therapy for relationship issues will nudge you to dig deep, become mindful of your thoughts and feelings and reflect on them honestly.

During our counseling sessions, you will learn how to overcome negative thoughts, and improve your communication skills. We’ll address your needs, doubts, worries, and fears and strengthen your ability to focus on yourself. Becoming highly self-aware means that you can understand yourself better, be at peace with who you are, successfully manage your emotions, and better understand how others perceive you.

Also, improved self-awareness boosts resilience and allows you to manage stress better. Treatment for anxiety and depression improves your motivation, helps connect with your inner world, and boosts your intuitive decision-making.

Individual Therapy for Relationship Issues Promotes Mental Health-Marriage Retreat in North Carolina

Psychotherapy is good for your heart and soul regardless if you decide to stay or leave the relationship. It will help you with this question-What can I do to change the relationship instead of blame game and finger-pointing?

Whether your partner wants to participate or not, you should reach out for counseling when you sense that your emotional or mental health concerns affect your daily life. Relationship counseling for one can help you understand your feelings better, learn effective coping strategies, and change behavior patterns that may cause your symptoms and issues.

For example, if you went through a stressful life event such as an affair, you may need therapy to bounce back and maintain good mental health. When the intensity of the stressful event overcomes your coping skills, you may feel tense, defeated, and battered. Accumulated or prolonged stress may lead to mental health problems such as anxiety or depression. We will work on recognizing the main stress triggers in your life and find constructive ways to manage them.

Also, marriage counseling without spouse can help you recognize dysfunctional cognitive patterns that generate a great amount of discomfort in your life. The ongoing feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or guilt may be signs of depression. This is a condition you should never deal with on your own.

Therapy can help you recognize depression symptoms and what may be causing them. In our sessions, we will work on building mechanisms for managing your symptoms more successfully.

Relationship counseling for one can also encourage you to set the boundaries, improve your self-esteem, and make realistic plans for change. 

Summary

While relationship counseling for one may not be ideal environment for resolving relationship issues, it is still better option than not seeking counseling at all. Relationship counseling for one partner can help understand your role in relationship problems, allow you to re-discover yourself, and help sort out your mental health issues. And this is more than a good start.

Quality Marriage Counseling Raleigh NC, and Online Therapy North Carolina.

At Marriage Counseling Raleigh NC, I offer the best marriage counseling I can using the most empirically validated modality called Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT).

This is not your typical weekly kind of therapy. I am here to help couples and individuals in relationships do what is proven to work to help them heal their relationships. Through marriage counseling Raleigh NC, marriage retreat in North Carolina, online therapy North Carolina, and individual counseling, there is something for every couple who wants to heal their relationship.

Hi, I'm Irina Baechle LCSW, in Raleigh, NC. I believe in the power of healthy relationships and write on that topic. Whether you and a partner are co-creating a healthy marriage, or you are single navigating how to have healthy relationships, my content is for you. Let's make healthy, trustworthy marriages the norm instead of the exception! Topics I write about include marriage, infidelity, roommate marriages, sexless marriage, healthy second marriages, healing after toxic or unfaithful marriages.

Have questions about marriage counseling? Visit FAQ to find out more.