When To Seek Couples Counseling? Top 10 Signs You Need It

Not sure when to seek couples counseling? We've listed the top 10 warning signs for you and your partner to decide if you need professional help in 2024.

Dr. John Gottman, a US psychologist specializing in relationship analyses, revealed the average couple waits as long as six years before seeking couples counseling due to the preconceptions that keep partners from getting the help that they need.

Some people believe that getting therapy means they're unable to solve problems on their own, while others are in denial and prefer not to address the issues until they pile up.

What these couples don't realize is that the longer they delay it, the more they allow these minor issues to escalate into bigger problems. By seeking professional help and facing these challenges head-on, you’ll be able to resolve these relationship issues and build a stronger foundation for you and your partner.

Working on a relationship takes patience, commitment, and hard work, it's completely normal to feel confused, overwhelmed, or even scared.

In some situations, one partner is eager to start going to couples counseling while the other is reluctant or wants to postpone making the decision.

If that sounds like you and your partner, we want you know, you're not alone.

Here are 10 Common Signs You Need Couples Counseling:

1. You Feel The Spark Fading

Most couples who book a couples session share something along the lines of "things have changed," "it's just not the same anymore," and "I no longer feel the way I use to." Some partners point out the lack of connection during conversations, what once were enjoyable activities start feeling like obligations, and the decrease in frequency of physical intimacy.

While there could be several reasons for the decline in physical or emotional intimacy between couples, that doesn't mean that you or your partner are solely to blame.

Pointing fingers isn't the goal of couples counseling, we're here to uncover the underlying issues for these changes to help you rebuild intimacy, get back to where you want to be, and reestablish your connection with your partner.

2. You Feel Constantly Criticized By Your Partner

The emotional toll of being constantly exposed to an extremely critical environment can lead a person to feel undervalued and unappreciated. Oftentimes, they'll feel an emotional distance from their critical partner, with the constant sense of walking on eggshells when they're near.

While some criticisms may be constructive, others mean more harm than intended.

The scary thing is, it's not always a hit-you-on-the-face comment like, "That's a stupid idea," "You know better than that," or "Why do you always screw this up?"

There are also times when the critical partner makes underhanded comments without realizing it. These comments can tend to pile up until it's too hard to bear.

An innocent “suggestion”, may be perceived as criticism if not communicated effectively.

Consistently offering alternatives to an opinion they shared, "That sounds fun, but have you considered this instead..." Insisting on fact-checking especially after they explained something thoroughly, "Are you sure about that?" While well-meaning and seemingly practical, the other person may interpret these as dismissive, lacking in enthusiasm, and brimming with skepticism.

3. You Spot Signs Of Emotional Manipulation

Emotional manipulation can manifest in many ways as one partner intentionally or unintentionally tries to control or dominate the relationship. One of the most common scenarios used is invalidating, minimizing or denying the occurrence of hurtful events, even when there's evidence of it.

This can lead one to question their own sanity and reality by accusing a partner of "overreacting" or "being too sensitive" in order to shift the blame or project their insecurities on a partner.

Another type of manipulation can take place in the form of guilt-tripping. Say, after a partner declines a request, the other might say, "Fine, I guess you don't care about me," or "You're always putting yourself first." This can lead to feelings of guilt for their actions or decisions and eventually ends up yielding to the a partners’ request.

These methods can unfold slowly and subtly and can take years to realize its impact on a relationship.

4. You Have Power & Control Imbalances In Your Relationship

Does your partner interrupt you when you're speaking? Or do they leave you out of smaller and major decisions?

Being with a partner who doesn't value your thoughts, opinions or always insisting in their way can be frustrating. If these situations sound familiar, you might be struggling with power and control issues in your relationship.

Equality as a couple defines it, is important in romantic relationships.

Power imbalances may reflect long-term consequences such as resentment, isolation, and decreased intimacy. Partners need to be attentive, implement active listening, and work on resolving their issues together, as “equals”.

5. You Are Navigating A Post-Physical Or Emotional Affair

Cheating isn't limited to physical affairs such as casual one-night stands, a long-term sexual relationship, or even online infidelity with sexting and exchanging nude photos.

It can occur in the form of emotional cheating, wherein a deep emotional bond forms with a confidant, sharing intimate details about life and feelings. Often, physical and emotional affairs can overlap, making the situation even more challenging.

No matter the form of infidelity, the trust between you and your partner can feel irreparably damaged. Couples often struggled with mental health issues, especially with the constant suspicion, difficulty in maintaining emotional closeness, and struggling to move past the pain. Rebuilding trust takes a lot of dedication, patience, and hard work. With the help of couples therapy, couples can work together to heal and move forward from the complexities that come from such affairs.

6. You Want To Stop The Endless Bickering Cycle

Is your day-to-day life with your partner filled with conflicts with the same argument on repeat?

This recurring pattern may be a sign of deeper issues that require our attention before it gets too late. Oftentimes, when partners struggle with communication and have difficulty listening to each other, tensions can escalate.

Instead of understanding and acknowledging each other's perspectives and feelings, it turns into a contest of shifting blame and accusations. Couples counseling can help you and your partner work on effective communication skills to better understand each other, resolve past hurts, and avoid the same conflicts in the future.

7. You Are Going Through A Significant Life Change

Life transitions can really shake up your relationship in unexpected ways.

Think about big moments like preparing for the arrival of a baby or even navigating the tough decision of separating or divorcing.

These are life-altering experiences that often stir up strong emotions and tension between partners.

Take pregnancy and postpartum, for example. While it's an exciting time, it can also create stress and distance in your relationship as you both adjust to new roles, responsibilities, and sheer exhaustion.

The dynamic between you might shift as you juggle sleepless nights, emotional highs and lows, and changes in intimacy.

That's why seeking prenatal or postpartum counseling can be a game-changer. It offers a space where you and your partner can slow down, talk things through, and reconnect. Working together to process these changes helps you face the challenges as a team, rather than feeling like you're drifting apart.

It's important to remember that significant life transitions can deeply affect your relationship.

8. You Feel The Relationship Is Ending

In some cases, many couples come to a crossroads where they no longer know whether they should stay in a relationship or go.

If you find yourself wondering the same, discernment therapy can help you evaluate your feelings, relationship dynamics, and your future if you and your partner decide to stay together or part ways.

There is no pressure to make immediate changes. The goal is to gain clarity in your relationship in order to make an informed decision and prevent future regrets.

When a couple concludes discernment counseling and decides to work on their relationship, couples therapy can help them find ways to resolve their issues together.

On the other hand, not all relationships work out. You all deserve love and shouldn't be bound to the fear of moving on.

9. You Are Committed To Working It Out

Couples counseling is not limited to working on challenges.

While many seek couples therapy in order to process their issues and problems, the door is open to any couple who desires to improve their relationship and is willing to invest time and effort in order to do so.

Many couples have the precognition that therapy is for "lost cases". Couples therapy doesn't mean your relationship is over.

In fact, it's a step towards building a stronger foundation for it.

Through couples therapy, you can improve your communication skills, prevent future conflicts, and cultivate a happy and healthy relationship that can withstand life's challenges.

10. Your Partner Is Open To Couples Therapy

If you or your significant other has been suggesting couples counseling, this is not a personal attack on the other person.

This suggestion simply means there may be areas in your relationship that could be improved, as well as one's openness to working on it. While processing this offer may be difficult at first, a mutual agreement to seek help can improve your and your partner's well-being and relationship dynamics.

Couple's therapy allows partners to communicate effectively and express their fears, thoughts, and viewpoints openly.

Are You Considering Couples Counseling?

If you find any of these key signs in your relationship, it may be an indicator that it's time to seek couples counseling. Whether you're struggling with major relationship issues or simply want to improve your communication, don't wait until things get worse.

Hi, I’m Evon, M.A, LAMFT,

At ForwardUs Counseling, we can help you navigate these challenges and more. Take the first step today with a FREE 15-minute consultation. Reach out today for support.