If you are experiencing marital discord, you may feel like you are in a frustrating and even hopeless situation. The constant tension, miscommunication, and lack of intimacy can wear you down and make you wonder if your marriage is worth salvaging. The truth is discord is a common challenge in marriages and can cause a lot of anxiety. With the right support, counseling, and communication strategies, you can experience healing in your relationship.
What Are the Common Causes of Marital Discord?
While every marriage is different, certain themes are common causes of marital discord, including:
- Money issues
- Jealousy
- Infidelity
- Friends
- Marriage roles
- Household responsibilities
- Parenting
- Job-related stress
- Fertility
- Different religious beliefs
- Lack of intimacy
- Communication struggles
Every marriage goes through challenges. However, spouses dedicated to working together to find solutions can overcome the struggles and attain a more peaceful place of love and respect in their relationships.
If you are experiencing any of these problems or another source of marital discord, seeking marriage counseling from a qualified therapist can help. Addressing communication issues is one of the most powerful and effective ways to improve your marriage.
3 Ways Counseling Can Bridge the Marriage Communication Gap
Every spouse wants to feel support and love from their partner. However, miscommunication can create a wedge, leading to anger, sadness, and distance in the relationship.
Here are three ways marriage counseling can bridge the communication gap so that you can improve your marriage:
#1: Becoming an Active Listener
Active listening is where you stop talking and truly listen to what your partner has to say. A counselor can lead you through active listening exercises, helping you and your partner develop this crucial relationship skill. The process involves using nonverbal cues to show you are listening and waiting until the appropriate time to ask for clarification or give supportive feedback.
#2: Developing Communication Skills
Using “I statements” instead of “you statements” can make a powerful difference in how couples communicate, especially about challenging topics that often lead to conflict. A marriage therapist can help you and your spouse learn strategies to express your feelings non-confrontationally. You’ll learn positive communication styles that facilitate meaningful conversations that leave both partners feeling heard instead of frustrated.
#3: Performing Validation Exercises
Validation is crucial to a healthy marriage relationship. Every person wants their partner to validate their feelings and life experiences. A therapist will guide you through validation exercises that help you to acknowledge each other’s thoughts, emotions, and feelings in a way that makes each other feel understood and supported.
Discover Solutions for Marital Discord at Positive Living Psychotherapy
Jessica Basset is a licensed associate marriage and family therapist at Positive Living Psychotherapy who helps couples through healthy communication skills development. She provides a safe, supportive environment where you and your partner can learn to bridge the communication gap through strategies and exercises that strengthen your bond and improve verbal and nonverbal communication.
Want to learn how to handle marital discord? To schedule a free consultation or a marriage counseling session with Jessica, call 770.552.0333.