Marriage Counseling Chevy Chase MD

Many couples who are married often find themselves considering whether or not they would benefit from marriage counseling in Chevy Chase, MD from Lindsey Hoskins & Associates. It may be surprising to learn that less than 5 percent of couples who are considering divorce try marriage counseling first. That means that 95 percent of married couples – including those in Maryland – filed for divorce without knowing whether the marriage may have been saved through therapy. 

When Should You Go?
Studies show that the average married couple who decides to try MD marriage counseling in Chevy Chase have waited six years before actually moving forward to meet with a marriage counselor. Other studies show that more than half of marriages that fail do so in the first seven years. Spouses who are having problems but delay going to marriage counseling, stay stuck in an unhappy place in their marriage for a long time. If they had considered marriage counseling sooner, not only could they have avoided those unhappy years, they also stand a greater chance at having their marriage succeed. The damage is often too deep if couples wait too long to seek help.

Learning to Make it Work
Marriage counseling in Chevy Chase is usually provided by licensed therapists whose specialty is family therapy and who focus on a couple’s relationship. A marriage counselor offers a supportive and neutral place where couples can learn to communicate their feelings and issues that are bothering them with their spouse. They learn techniques which can help them both to understand each other better instead of communicating in an adversarial way.

A marriage therapist can teach and provide feedback on new techniques and skills which can bring about a happier marriage. Some of the things a couple may learn in Maryland marriage counseling at Lindsey Hoskins & Associates include:

• Better communication skills;
• Communicating what individual needs are within the relationship;
• Conflict resolution;
• Expressing and sharing of painful emotions and how to resolve those;
• Healthy arguing;
• Negotiating change within the relationship; and
• Working through unresolved issues.
  

Chevy Chase, MD Marriage Counseling Takes Commitment
The problems in your marriage didn’t develop overnight and it is important to understand that marriage counseling takes commitment and can be hard work. It is important for couples to be realistic in their approach and realize that there may be times where the process may be difficult, even frustrating. The result of all that hard work can lead you and your spouse to a much better place than you ever thought could happen.

It is also important for both spouses to understand that each of you must be able to accept your role in whatever issues have developed in the marriage, and be willing to make the necessary adjustments.

Timing is of The Essence When It Comes to Seeking Marriage Counseling
All too often married couples seek help from a therapist at Lindsey Hoskins & Associates only after their marriage is on the brink of divorce. Clients may wonder whether therapy can save their marriage, and we may answer that counseling is going to be hard work, that anything is possible, but there are no guarantees. It is wise to invest time and energy into the marriage remaining afloat before one partner has given up. For therapy to be successful, both partners have to be present and willing to try.

Don’t Wait Until Someone Has Thrown in the Towel
If both of you have tried and tried for many months or years, eventually one of you may decide to throw in the towel. The effectiveness of marriage therapy is related to how motivated both partners are and the timing that counseling is sought. If one partner is already in the mindset of divorce, then it may be too late for marriage counseling. However, it is always worth trying to see if your relationship can be salvaged.

Providing a Safe Space for Conversation
A therapist at Lindsey Hoskins & Associates can provide a comfortable and open space for both spouses to share their feelings and concerns. We encourage clients to be open and honest with us and their partners during Chevy Chase, MD marriage counseling, so we can help you to the fullest extent. We understand that those who have never had therapy before, may feel uncomfortable at the idea of sharing their innermost thoughts with a stranger. But please rest assured knowing that we are only here to help you.

How to Deal with Differences in a Healthy Way
When couples visit our office for marriage counseling, they may be struggling with issues related to their differences. While being opposites may have been what drew you together in the first place, you may find that fights arise down the line from these disparities. A therapist may encourage both spouses to practice the following strategies for dealing with differences in a more healthy way: 

• Don’t give up on your hobbies, personal goals, or other interests as this can cause resentments to develop
• Create a comfortable and relaxed home environment where you can spend time with your partner on a regular basis 
• Accept that you both may not always share the same interests. But, make an effort to support the other’s passions and needs even if they differ from yours.
• Resolve conflicts by learning how to communicate with each other in a more effective way 
• Do not play the blame game. Accept responsibility for what you have done to contribute to the problem and allow your partner to have some degree of flaw.

By the time a married couple seeks marriage counseling in MD, many years of resentments may have built up. Thankfully, we have a team of skilled therapists who can help you work through these issues if you are both present and dedicated to the process.

Marriage Counseling Chevy Chase, MD Residents Recommend

The family therapists at our clinic will be happy to discuss whether you and your spouse could benefit from marriage counseling. To schedule an appointment for Chevy Chase marriage counseling in Maryland from Lindsey Hoskins & Associates, contact us today at (240) 752-7650 or fill out a contact form from our website.