How You Can Benefit From Online Marriage Counseling
Many practicing therapists agree that online marriage counseling can be just as beneficial as seeing a therapist in person. In fact, licensed professionals provide some of the online counseling services that are currently available. The method through which you receive counseling is not necessarily as important as the skills and experience of the therapist you and your spouse are working with. How you receive that guidance is more a matter of convenience and personal preference. To back that up, here are some of the benefits of marriage counseling online.
Benefits Of Online Counseling
Getting a couple's therapy online is different in some ways from seeing a therapist in person. As you'll see, some of those differences can be an advantage to you and your marriage.
In many cases, online counseling can be a great first step for people who have never had experiences with professional mental health services. There can be skepticism and various reservations; however, receiving counseling online can help put people at ease and assure them that counseling is taking place in a safe and healthy environment. Online counseling will also certainly help those who are eager to get marriage help regardless of where they are or what they're doing at the given time.
Easier To Convince A Resistant Spouse
Often, one partner or the other does not want to attend marriage counseling sessions. When that's the case, having the counseling session online can help convince them to participate. After all, they don't even have to leave the house. If your marriage needs a mediator, getting help in whichever way you can get your spouse to cooperate is better than no help at all.
When trying to convince a resistant spouse, it's important to be sympathetic and cognizant of the reasons for which they may have reservations. Sometimes they may need to understand more information about online counseling. In other cases, your spouse may have undergone a negative experience in the past, which turned them off to counseling or therapy in general. It can be easy to get frustrated when faced with a resistant spouse, but openly directing your frustration towards them is unlikely to bring them around to your side. Instead, your time and energy would be better spent getting to understand their reasons and assuring them of the benefits of marriage counseling via online.
Fits Into Your Schedule Better
Most of us have full schedules. And fitting in anything extra, including marriage counseling, means we must take time away from other priorities. Arguably, taking care of your marriage should be a pretty high priority. But if you do need to find time in an overfilled schedule, online counseling takes away the time commuting to and from a counselor's office.
Fitting in online marriage counseling can be tough if you and your spouse travel frequently or maintain a series of obligations. However, it's not impossible. You could set aside an hour or two per week, and you also have the luxury of being able to get counseling regardless of your geographical location.
Balancing and managing the various obligations and demands of life can be challenging, which is why time management matters so much. Depending on what you work out with your counselor, you and your spouse don't necessarily have to engage in counseling at the same precise time. No matter what your schedule looks like, you and your partner need to understand that you have flexibility.
Can Be More Affordable
The truth is that price can be a factor for many couples considering marriage counseling. You may be weighing whether your marital problems are concerning enough to warrant the cost. Online therapists don't have to pay for the upkeep of a clinic, which may allow them to reduce overhead costs. And those savings may translate into lower prices for you.
Affordability is such an important factor that many mental health service providers forget about. Struggles, challenges, and tough times are universal; they do not discriminate based upon how much money someone earns or what tax bracket they find themselves in. If you and your spouse are on a budget yet still interested in seeking help from a professional, then online marriage counseling will certainly prove to be of value.
Traditional in-person marriage counseling requires you and your spouse to get guidance once a week or less. But you may need mediation more often than that to help you through the rough periods of working on your marriage. Online counselors are often available for a brief chat or phone call outside of a regularly scheduled weekly appointment. And email allows you to send a message and get responses at your and your counselor's convenience. This can take the burden off you and your partner of trying to get everything off your chest at one session, reducing some of the tension.
There are so many situations in life that cause people to require help. Sometimes people feel as though there's something wrong with them. Sometimes issues that we're facing can become less daunting or scary when we have a strong support system in our corner; this is especially applicable when marriage issues arise. One of the most important things to understand about marriage counselors is that they specialize in helping married couples. This means they can understand where both you and your spouse are coming from. A marriage counselor can also assess the situation from a professional, neutral position and then guide you both on the path to solutions. There is never any shame in asking for help when it's necessary.
With online marriage counseling, you are not limited to counselors within reasonable driving distance. That means you can choose from a wider range of techniques and experience levels to find the counselor that is right for you and your partner. Finding a therapist that both you and your partner work well with can be a challenge, so having more options can be a real advantage.
You'd be amazed at how many people have transformed and improved their lives thanks to online marriage counseling and other professional forms of therapy. The more options you have, the easier it is for you to take the next step towards improving the quality of your life and marriage.
Both in-person and online marriage counseling can benefit your relationship with your spouse. Choose a counselor that can give your marriage its best chance.
Important Details to Keep in Mind
Sometimes there are unrealistic expectations associated with counseling, even counseling that takes place online. Harboring unrealistic expectations can lead to tons of frustration and resentment in the long term, which is why it's important to be fully informed about online marriage counseling and what you should know going into it.
An Open Mind is Everything
Whenever you and your spouse are preparing to work with an online marriage counselor, it's always important to keep an open mind. Your counselor may make suggestions, observations, or statements which you didn't necessarily anticipate...and that's OK. It's simply part of the process, and it can be a learning experience. If you or your spouse truly feel comfortable with something your counselor is saying, then it's completely fine to bring that to their attention; however, if your counselor makes suggestions or gives feedback that you didn't necessarily anticipate, you need to remain receptive. Being open to feedback will truly help your marriage.
Results Won't Happen Overnight
As you and your spouse go through the process of online marriage counseling, it's important to maintain patience. Rome wasn't built in a day, and problems don't develop overnight. Remember, it will take time for your counselor to get to know you and your spouse, understand your situation, and then develop the best course of action in the future. Sometimes, it can be tempting to make comparisons regarding how long you and your spouse are in marriage counseling, but this won't change anything. Each situation requires its solution and its own pace. You and your spouse may require counseling for longer or shorter periods than others, and that's OK.
Asking for Help is Always the First Step
Facing issues in your marriage is normal and nothing to be ashamed of. Even the best spouses run through rough patches and otherwise face challenges that they did not initially anticipate. In cases like these, it's good to know when the time for outside help, such as online marriage counseling, can be of value.
At the end of the day, your happiness and the success of your marriage are what matters. This is why Regain is here. We value helping others and aiding people as they work to improve the quality of their lives. We know that this is possible for any person or people willing to work and make necessary changes in their lives.
Whether you are married, single, divorced, or otherwise simply interested in having someone to speak with, Regain will always be available. Counseling is a well-documented form of mental health treatment that can aid anyone, regardless of who they are or what they may be dealing with in life.
You can contact us at any time simply by clicking here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can you do marriage counseling online?
Whether you go through ReGain, another online therapy website, or a therapist who offers both face-to-face and virtual sessions near you, you can absolutely do marriage counseling or couples counseling online. Additionally, online therapy has been researched and proven effective in a number of studies. This is true both for online therapy designed for couples and online therapy designed for individuals. Online therapy has become an increasingly popular option throughout the years. The best online marriage counseling will always be conducted by a licensed professional, so make sure to use a website like ReGain that only offers support from licensed providers. Whether you get marriage counseling online or in person, your relationship is sacred, so you want to make sure that you get the best online marriage counseling available.
Is marriage counseling free?
Whether you get couples therapy using an online therapy option or in person, couples counseling or couples therapy is not typically free. However, there are some exceptions to this. For example, some religious institutions offer couples counseling or couples therapy for free. Couples therapy or couples counseling through online options like ReGain is typically more affordable than traditional in-person couples therapy, or couples counseling is in the absence of insurance, making online therapy a perfect fit for couples hoping to find marriage counseling without breaking the bank. Again, the best online marriage counseling will always be conducted by licensed professionals. Remember that coaching and counseling, for example, are not the same thing. While coaches may be versed in helping couples, the best online marriage counseling sites and online therapy sites will ensure licensure. If a website says that it offers the best online marriage counseling, but the individuals helping couples aren’t licensed providers, be wary and put your money toward a licensed professional.
What is the #1 cause of divorce?
Many studies have attempted to find the top cause or causes of divorce. Some sources say that the number one divorce cause is contempt, whereas others say that the number one cause of divorce is financial issues or a lack of commitment. The good news is that if you have concerns about your marriage or feel that your partnership needs some mending, couples therapy can help. Relationship therapy or couples therapy such as emotionally focused therapy (EFT) and the Gottman method is regarded as successful relationship therapy forms. If the first form of couples therapy you receive isn’t a good fit for you or the first couples counselor or therapist you see isn’t a good fit for you, know that you can always switch. One of the benefits of online therapy is that it’s typically easier and faster to switch providers if needed.
Do marriage counselors ever recommend divorce?
Whether you attend online therapy or in-person therapy, a provider such as a marriage counselor or marriage and family therapist will rarely recommend divorce. Couples counseling professionals such as counselors or therapists will only recommend divorce and very rare cases, such as domestic violence. Regardless of if you get marriage counseling online or in person, a provider offering any form of couples therapy or counseling for couples is not there to make choices for you. Instead, they’re there to support you through the couples therapy process and help you meet your goals. However, if you decide to get a divorce, divorce counseling can be a great deal of help throughout the process. Divorce counseling is helpful for couples hoping to separate amicably and peacefully and is not meant to prevent divorce. If you’re looking to work through relationship issues and prevent divorce, relationship counseling is the way to go.
What are the 3 most important things in a marriage?
Three of the most important things in a marriage are mutual respect, commitment, and affection. Of course, other components of a healthy relationship, such as communication and trust, are also essential. If you’re struggling with respect, commitment, trust, communication, affection, or anything else, consider getting marriage counseling online or near you. The providers at ReGain are licensed and adept at counseling couples facing a wide variety of concerns, so don’t be afraid to reach out for support if you need it.