When a relationship starts to deteriorate, it’s important to seek help. Marriage counseling is one way to help get your partnership back on track and moving in the right direction. Relationships grow and change over time, and in a marriage, ideally, partners grow together. Unfortunately, sometimes external factors push couples apart. Mental illness, financial woes, physical health impairments, stress and dozens of other factors put pressure on relationships, causing conflict and distance.
If you’re struggling in your relationship, the Mental Health Hotline is always there to give you support and assistance in locating therapy for relationships in your area.
Warning Signs That a Relationship Isn’t Healthy
No two relationships are the same, but there are some fairly common signs that something isn’t working. If you think your relationship might be headed off the rails, look for behaviors that might indicate issues surrounding:
- Control. If one spouse makes all the decisions, it’s a red flag for abuse and dependency. Relationship counseling for those in a relationship with a power imbalance might involve negotiating better decision-making practices and creating systems to prevent one partner from dominating.
- Dishonesty. In a safe, supportive relationship, honesty is the norm. When one partner doesn’t feel safe or doesn’t respect the other, dishonesty becomes the new normal. A partner may lie to avoid conflict, protect themselves or hide behavior they’re ashamed of.
- Disrespect. Respect is the foundation of a healthy relationship. It leads to honesty and communication, which prevent misunderstandings. When one partner disrespects the other, it breaks down lines of communication and creates conflict.
- Hostility. Anxiety, depression, stress and other factors may cause a partner to lash out, expressing hostility.
These are just a few of the possible signs that your relationship is headed for stormy waters. Even small indicators can be important early warnings. Every relationship goes through struggles sometimes, which is why many local mental health providers offer therapy for relationships. If your relationship is turning into something you don’t recognize, reach out for help. With the right couples therapy techniques, many couples turn things around and move past their struggles.
Causes of Relationship Stress
Did you know that divorce rates in the United States are at a 50-year low? With the first no-fault divorce law just over 50 years old, it might surprise you to know that more couples are staying committed to their relationships these days. When seemingly insurmountable issues do crop up, couples often point to one of the following factors as the reason for their divorce:
- Physical health conditions. Sudden and unexpected disability can put a major strain on any relationship. Stepping into a caregiver role earlier than expected is stressful.
- Financial woes. Anxiety surrounding paying bills and making ends meet can create lots of conflict within a relationship, particularly if one partner spends irresponsibly or has a habit that’s contributing to financial woes.
- Mental health changes. Depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder and dozens of other conditions put stress on both partners, particularly when a mental health condition isn’t well controlled.
With major stressors, why are divorce rates so low? Access to reliable and effective couples therapy techniques is one reason marriages are lasting longer.
National Resources for Marriage Counseling
National Healthy Marriage Resource Center
The National Healthy Marriage Resource Center offers professional development and training to counselors, allowing them to better help a wide variety of clients with challenges ranging from substance use to communication troubles. While the center doesn’t directly offer counseling, it does connect you with resources that help you improve your relationship on multiple levels. Use the online locator to connect with couples and marriage counseling options near you.
Mental Health Hotline
When relationship stress reaches a crisis, reach out for help. The Mental Health Hotline is available 24-7 with empathetic counselors just a phone call away.
Call (866) 903-3787 if you or a loved one is in crisis. Trained counselors can connect you with emergency local resources that can help.
Military OneSource
For members of the armed forces and their families, OneSource offers tailored assistance programs that can help couples work past issues common to military spouses. It maintains guides on military relationship support resources and crisis help when needed.
Call (800) 342-9647 if you or someone you know needs emergency marriage counseling.
Get Help Today
If you know someone in an abusive or struggling relationship, contact the Mental Health Hotline at (866) 903-3787 for support and information about what to do next. Our compassionate staff members are always available to take your call and help you and your significant other find a path forward.