Marital Troubles? Advice from a Professional: Rectify Issues in Your Marriage Using These 7 Strategies

Holding Hands and Speaking Hearts: Tips for Successful Couples Counseling

Get ready for a smoother ride in your relationship journey. Here's the lowdown on everything you need to know to make your couples counseling sessions a success.

1. Lay It All Out

Fear of showing vulnerability often holds people back from being themselves. But remember, sharing your rawest emotions can build a deeper bond with your partner. Don't let that wall come up –– tearing it down is the key to a healthier relationship[1]. The more authentic you are, the fewer destructive behaviors you'll engage in, and the more positive your relationship will be overall.

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"Come prepared with your true self and a willingness to grow together."

2. Look Inward and Look Outward

Human beings rely on social connections, and those connections can either make or break our relationships. Consider whether any external factors, like negative opinions from friends or family, are impacting how you see your spouse. Be on the same team as your partner –– not everyone's team.

If you find that outside influences are causing issues, it might be time to set boundaries. Draw the line between what's healthy and what's not.

"Reflect on your external influences and how they may impact your relationship dynamics."

Working with your partner to identify relationship goals can help keep you focused on making progress.

Some common goals your therapist may suggest include:

Improving communication
Finding healthier ways to deal with conflicts
Understanding the root causes of conflicts

"Set some goals for yourself and share them with your partner and therapist; the sky's the limit!"

4. Be Honest, No Matter How Hard

Lying in therapy might seem like the easy way out, but it can make it impossible for therapy to work its magic. Truth can be painful, but being upfront about your feelings will enable you and your partner to pinpoint and work on the issues in your relationship.

"Becoming sincere can help you overcome hurdles in your relationship."

5. Reconnect With the Past

Childhood experiences can shape our expectations for relationships. Talking about past experiences can help you identify and work through sticking points in your relationship. It can also provide insight into your own needs and your partner's.

"Take a walk down memory lane –– it might lead to greater understanding."

6. Express, Listen, and Act

Take turns speaking your mind and truly listening to each other. Open communication is the foundation of any strong relationship. Active listening has been proven to increase relationship satisfaction. So don't just listen –– listen to understand.

"Speak your truth, listen to your partner's truth, and work together toward a common goal."

7. Ask and Receive

Asking questions is a great way to gain clarity and understanding. But be sure to validate your partner's feelings before you ask questions.

"Ask to understand, ask for support –– but remember, the key is connecting and communicating effectively."

Embrace the Journey

Remember, every relationship has its ups and downs. But with the right tools and the right guide (that's us!), you can navigate your relationship with confidence.

*Articles on our website are written by experienced mental health contributors and are based on scientific research and evidence-based practices. The content is extensively reviewed by our team of clinical experts to ensure accuracy and relevance.

our website aims to provide current, valuable, and objective information on mental health topics to help readers make informed decisions. Our goal is to empower you with the knowledge and skills necessary to lead a healthy, happy life.*

Choice Enrichment Data:

Authenticity and Well-being: A study by Ayman et al. (2021)[4] found that authenticity is associated with well-being across diverse cultural backgrounds. The researchers concluded that promoting authenticity can help individuals achieve psychological well-being and a stronger sense of self. This supports the idea that being true to oneself can lead to a healthier, more fulfilling relationship.
Communication and Relationship Satisfaction: Research by Gordon et al. (2020)[5] highlighted the importance of effective communication in fostering relationship satisfaction. The study concluded that open, non-defensive communication contributes to stronger relationships. This finding provides further evidence supporting the importance of communication in successful couples counseling.
Mindfulness and Emotional Regulation: Mindfulness-based interventions have been shown to improve emotional regulation, particularly in couples who are struggling with emotional dysregulation[2]. Emotional dysregulation can be a major roadblock to effective communication and relationship satisfaction. Practicing mindfulness during couples counseling sessions can help partners develop the skills needed to manage their emotions and communicate more effectively.

[1] Reference

Kocyigit, F., & Uzun, B. (2025). Emotional authenticity, self-care, and emotion regulation in parents: The roles of empathic bonding, attachment style, and work-family conflict. Journal of Family Psychology.

[2] Reference

Biegel, G., & Xoch regarded;=39;imiquetl, M. (2022). Mindfulness for couples: The four dimensions of emotional regulation. Couple & Family Psychotherapy.

[3] Reference

Real, T. (2023). I don't want to talk about it: Overcoming the secret obstacles that sabotage our relationships. Scribner.

[4] Reference

Ayman, Y., Brown, J. D., Tamioli, L. S., Rahim-Miller, M., & Kim, Y. (2021). Authenticity: Straight talk about how to be real in a phony world. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

[5] Reference

Gordon, N. A., Gonzales, M. E., & Elliot, A. J. (2020). Talking satisfies, silence irritates: Couples' subjective reports of unreciprocated communication interactions and restoration from relationship distress. Personal Relationships.

The more authentic you are in couples therapy, the fewer destructive behaviors you'll engage in, and the more positive your relationship will be, as studies suggest that authenticity is associated with well-being and fosters stronger relationships.
Embracing couples therapy can lead to a deeper understanding of the root causes of conflicts, as mindfulness-based interventions have been shown to improve emotional regulation, which is essential for effective communication.
In the realm of health-and-wellness and lifestyle, focusing on the mental health aspect of relationships is crucial: engaged couples seeking assistance from licensed therapists for couples therapy can find online marriage counseling, which is based on scientific research and evidence-based practices, providing expert guidance along the way.