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How to Convince Your Partner to Try Marriage Counseling

Idit Sharoni

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I'm a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist based in Miami, a relationship podcast host, and an educator. I help couples transform their patterns of communication and heal after infidelity. 

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Does broaching the subject of marriage counseling with your partner make you nervous? How can you convince your partner to try counseling, when you’re not sure where to start or how to make the idea attractive? First, know that it’s okay to ask for help. Your relationship deserves the best attention you can give it. In fact, marriage counseling in Miami, FL with our experienced counselors could be the game changer your relationship needs. Being convinced of this yourself will make it easier to discuss the matter with your spouse. Then, a bit of experienced guidance is all you need to help you bring up the delicate topic. Let’s explore a few ideas for your conversation:

Image of a happy African American couple shaking a marriage counselor's hand. Begin to heal and reconnect with your partner with the help of marriage counseling in Miami, FL. Relationships Experts can help you today.

How to Start Marriage Counseling: Decode Your Partner’s Hesitation

Before diving into strategies, consider why your partner might be reluctant. Try to take a mental and emotional step back. Pinpoint your partner’s apprehensions. Do they fear vulnerability? Are they worried they’ll be judged? Are they convinced marriage counseling is a relationship ‘last resort’? What can you do to empathize and reassure them?

Strategy 1: Initiate a Non-Confrontational Dialogue

Start with a gentle conversation to reduce overwhelm or avoidance and turn down the heat on defensiveness or overreaction. The key is to approach the topic of marriage counseling with empathy. You might say something like,

  • “I’ve been thinking about how we can make our relationship even stronger. What are your thoughts on trying marriage counseling together?”

or

  • “I’ve been considering how we can make our bond even stronger. What if we gave marriage counseling a shot?”

Helpful Hints

  • Timing is everything: Choose a peaceful moment when you both are in a good mood. This conversation deserves a calm atmosphere, not a heated one.
  • Embrace the Power of “I” Statements: Express your feelings and needs. For instance, “I believe marriage counseling could boost our communication and make our bond even stronger,” is a good start.

Strategy 2: Address Your Partner’s Worries Directly

Listen and validate your partner’s feelings. If your partner is apprehensive, listen attentively and acknowledge their feelings. You could respond with something like,

  • “I get why you might feel that way. Want to discuss your concerns?”

or

  • “I’ve been thinking about what you shared. Would you like to talk more about what worries you?”

Helpful Hints

  • Knowledge is Power: Fear often stems from the unknown. Share facts about marriage counseling in Miami, FL, and how it could provide a safe space.
  • Spread Positivity: If you know couples who’ve benefited from therapy, share their experiences to ease your partner’s worries.

Image of a happy couple looking at each other as a marriage counselor looks on. Begin to reconnect with your partner and overcome communication issues with the help of marriage counseling in Miami, FL.

Strategy 3: Accentuate the Benefits

Present therapy as a positive step. Portraying therapy as a positive and empowering option for change can shift a persistently negative counseling conversation. It’s not about finding faults or fixing something hopelessly broken. The goal is to secure a happier future together. You could approach the situation with something like,

  • “Marriage counseling helps couples reconnect? Do you remember the way we used to talk? I’m looking forward to talking like that again.”

or

  • “We’re in this relationship together. Marriage counseling can keep us close. I’d love to try it together.”

Helpful Hints

  • Growth is the Goal: Discuss how marriage counseling in Miami, FL, with us or online, can offer communication and relationship tools to improve your relationship.
  • Emphasize Partnership: Make it clear that this is something you want to do together, as a team, to strengthen your bond.

Strategy 4: Use Effective Communication Techniques

Create a conversational safe space for your partner. Open, honest communication is the bedrock of successful relationships. How can you make sure your partner feels truly listened to and valued during your conversation? It might help to ask something like,

  • “I believe I heard you say that you fear our relationship troubles will get worse if we attend marriage counseling. Is that right?”

or

  • “What do you think we could gain from trying counseling?”

Helpful Hints

  • Listen with intent. Take a genuine interest in your partner’s viewpoint. Active listening often means echoing their words to confirm your understanding.
  • Ask open-ended questions. Boost conversation with questions that spark discussion. Like, “What do you reckon we stand to gain from giving counseling a shot?

Strategy 5: Suggest a Counseling Trial Run

Gently ease Into counseling. If your partner still has reservations, a temporary trial might be the way to go. A few sessions with a skilled marriage counselor may be just the thing to highlight the potential benefits and quell anxiety.

Helpful Hints

  • Go slow. Try floating the idea of a few initial sessions to test the waters. This alleviates the pressure and permits your partner to sample the value of therapy firsthand.
  • Be there. Comfort and support your partner with the promise that you’re in this together.

Final Thoughts: Reflect and Reconnect

Which of these tactics rings true for you? Encouraging your partner to consider marriage counseling is an act of love, to fortify your relationship’s resilience and strength. It’s perfectly acceptable to seek mentorship and guidance from our Relationship Experts now. With the support of a marriage counselor, you can foster the honesty and compassion you desire in your relationship.

Remember, it’s about constructing a supportive space where you both feel secure enough to chart new paths of growth.

Food for Thought

  • What apprehensions or worries might be stopping you from starting this dialogue?
  • How can demonstrating empathy help you to really ‘get’ your partner’s viewpoint?
  • What small action could you take today to start a conversation about seeking professional help?

Embarking on the path to a more satisfying, healthier relationship begins with a single conversation. Are you both ready to take that leap together?

Image of a smiling woman wrapping her arms around a smiling man. Begin healing the communication issues in your relationship and start reconnecting with the help marriage counseling in Miami, FL.

DO YOU WANT TO LEARN HOW TO START MARRIAGE COUNSELING IN MIAMI, FL?

Convincing your partner to go to therapy is daunting but the gains of attending sessions together are invaluable. The marriage counselors at Relationship Experts can show you why. We are Florida’s foremost relationship therapy practice specializing in marriage counseling. Let us help you develop the deeply connected marriage you desire. Compassion, communication, and connection can happen again if you follow these three steps:

  1. Schedule a free consultation or call our office at 305-507-9955 to seek marriage support.
  2. Chat with a skilled couples therapist during your first meeting.
  3. Begin caring for your marriage and building healthy relationship habits!

ADDITIONAL RELATIONSHIP EXPERTS SERVICES

At Relationship Experts, our counselors offer a wide range of services. We can help you and your partner renew your marriage. Our Miami, FL-based practice offers a host of services and programs. Online and throughout Florida, we provide Affair Recovery, Couples Counseling, Infidelity Recovery Programs, and Communication Counseling. We also offer online therapy for partners in Florida looking to support their relationship remotely. Please read our blog for more articles like this!

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Image of a man resting his hand on his chin thinking. With marriage counseling in Miami, FL you and your partner can work on reconnecting.

I'm Idit Sharoni, your podcast host.

I'm an expert on relationships and infidelity recovery. I'm a licensed marriage & family therapist, a podcast host, and the founder of Relationship Experts  - a Couples Therapy & Coaching private practice.

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