Life as a couple is not a long, quiet river. If many households find themselves having to deal with minor disputes on a daily basis, others are entangled in even more serious crises and often have only divorce as an outcome. Couples therapy is designed to help partners overcome their difficulties and live better together.
How to convince your spouse to go to couple therapy? However, it is not easy for women to convince their husbands to accompany them to the therapist when they are the first to take the initiative. So, without further ado, let’s dive into this blog and learn some of the things you ought to know about couple therapy.
Involve your partner in the decision-making process
Let your partner know that you have decided to go to therapy for the sole purpose of becoming a better person in the home. Tell him you’ll be a lovely partner when you’ve worked out your little differences. Explain to your man that there is nothing wrong with getting help from a specialist to have a more harmonious couple.
Make him understand that the psychotherapist is a complete stranger and that this guarantees objectivity and impartiality. You can go so far as to tell him how your consultations with the therapist will take place. He may be reassured that he is not about to venture into unfamiliar territory.
Simply offer couple’s therapy instead of imposing it.
It’s not good for you to push too hard while you ask your partner to engage in the same therapeutic process as you. In fact, this is counterproductive. Your partner will be more likely to resist your request. Simply suggest that he or she come with you and give him or her a chance to think about it without pressure.
You can also ask your partner to follow you during your first session to get a feel for what it’s all about. You will then leave him/her free to decide whether or not to commit to this adventure with you.
Start the process alone.
If your spouse refuses to accompany you to the therapist, decide to go alone. Certainly, the professional has already had to deal with this type of situation. He or she will be able to provide you with advice tailored to help you deal with this delicate issue with your partner.
Individual therapy may be a good solution if your partner is still skeptical. After a while, your partner is likely to be impressed by your efforts for the couple’s well-being and will decide to do the same as you.
Use your psychologist to convince your partner.
You may want to ask your psychologist to work with you to come up with a solution that will encourage your partner to come to your consultations. The professional will give you several ways to do this, depending on what your spouse wants to hear and how deeply he or she is involved in the conflict. Once your partner agrees to come to an appointment with you, it is up to the therapist to motivate him or her to keep going.
Use systemic brief therapy.
Using a psychologist who is oriented toward systemic brief therapy will make it easier for you to convince your partner to go with you to consultations. Systemic Brief Therapy offers the possibility of overt exchanges between the two partners. It is an approach with a literal pragmatic side that men generally like. It also involves exercises that need to be practiced at home.
Go alone to your psychologist
If you still haven’t managed to change her mind, go alone to your coach or therapist. Seeing the person who suffers from the other’s relationship already allows for good progress in the therapeutic work. It is not always necessary for both parties to be present to get results.
Through your behavioral changes, you can make things happen. You can also develop an acceptance of the other person as he or she is and calmly give up trying to change them. This can sometimes lead to questioning the couple or even separation.
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