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How to Choose the Right Marriage Counselor for Your Relationship

How to Choose the Right Marriage Counselor for Your Relationship

Mental Health

Even the happiest of marriages can hit rough patches. When this happens, couples often turn to marriage counselors in the hope of getting professional help to solve whatever problem it is they’re facing. They might not even fully understand themselves what the problem is—all the more reason to seek out a marriage counselor. Of course, not all marriage counselors are created equal. Like with any other profession, some marriage counselors are better at what they do than others. Choosing a counseling professional who aligns with your needs, values, and goals is crucial for a successful therapy experience. Here’s how to find a marriage counselor who’s right for your partner and you.

1. Identify Your Needs as a Couple

In almost any situation, a little forethought can go a long way in helping ensure a successful outcome. Before beginning your search for a marriage counselor, take some time to assess your relationship’s specific challenges and goals as best you can. Are you struggling with communication, trust issues, or conflict resolution? Do you need specialized counseling for issues such as infidelity, blended-family dynamics, or emotional disconnection? Identifying your core concerns will help you find a marriage counselor who specializes in the area or areas that matter most to your relationship.

2. Look for Proper Credentials and Experience

At the risk of stating the obvious, make sure to choose a licensed and certified marriage counselor. (Not all of them are.) Look for credentials such as Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), or an equivalent qualification. Experience is also key. Seek out someone who has a strong and, ideally, long background in marriage therapy, to ensure they have the expertise needed to navigate the complex relationship dynamics that are part and parcel of any marriage.

3. Consider Counseling Approach and Techniques

Every therapist is different. We’re all individuals, and a counselor’s style of approach will vary even when employing the same professionally recognized technique or method. That said, finding a professionally recognized technique or method that resonates overall with you and your partner is important. Some common counseling approaches to consider are:

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
As the name suggests, this therapy centers around strengthening a couple’s emotional bonds and attachments.
The Gottman Method
This therapy employs research-based techniques to improve communication, intimacy, and conflict resolution.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
This therapy helps couples recognize and change negative thought patterns affecting their relationship.

4. Evaluate Compatibility and Comfort

As you can probably imagine, feeling comfortable and understood by your counselor is essential for productive sessions. A good marriage counselor fosters a safe, non-judgmental environment where both partners feel heard and validated. Personal and cultural compatibility also play a role. Thus, consider whether the counselor’s background, beliefs, and communication style align with your preferences and values.

5. Check Availability and Cost

When thinking about how to find a marriage counselor, logistics matter. Find someone whose availability aligns with your schedule, ensuring consistency in your sessions. Additionally, consider the cost of therapy and whether the counselor accepts insurance or offers sliding-scale fees. Affordable options, such as community counseling centers or online marriage counseling, may be available if budget constraints are a concern.

6. Read Reviews and Ask for Recommendations

Online reviews exist for just about everything these days, including marriage counseling. Be sure to take full advantage of this modern-day resource to research potential counselors. Testimonials will give you a window into the world of a particular counselor, and let you see how other couples have benefited—or not, as the case may be—from their services. Additionally, ask for recommendations from trusted friends, family, or healthcare providers who may have personal experience with a marriage counselor.

Good Help is Actually Quite Easy to Find

Thankfully, we live in an age where there’s no longer any stigma attached to seeking out the help of professionals when it comes to behavioral health. So whether it’s online marriage counseling or in-person marriage counseling, take the time to choose wisely when it comes to selecting your couple’s counselor. By identifying your needs, verifying credentials, considering therapeutic approaches, and ensuring compatibility, you can find a professional who supports your journey toward a healthier and more fulfilling partnership. If, after all this, you’re still wondering how to find a marriage counselor, the professionals at Advanced Behavioral Health are here to help. Simply give us a call.

When you think of the well-being of a child, you first think of basic needs: food, water, and shelter. Once these needs are met, however, it’s crucial for a child to have emotional and social wellness as well. In this article, we will explore the impact social wellness has on the overall health of a child and great ways for children to garner social support in their lives.

It comes as no surprise that as human beings, we all need connection with others, no matter what stage of life we are in. In fact, having social support is a social determinant of health (SDOH) that significantly impacts the health of an individual. After spending the last few years in and out of isolation due to the Covid-19 outbreak, social support is more important now than ever before. Having social support means having family members and friends you can talk to and seek advice from when life feels challenging and overwhelming. Knowing you’re not alone in your life journey, especially as a child, creates a sense of belonging and empowerment throughout one’s life.

4 Types of Social Support

Emotional Support. This type of support lets you know that people care about you and have empathy for your experiences. Emotional support often looks like people checking in on you to let you know they’re thinking of you, and that they are there if you need anything. As a parent, make sure your child knows you can be a sounding board for them. If you have family members who can also show up for your children in this way, even better!

Practical Help. This type of support is when people give you something tangible or offer a service to help you out. This could be in the form of money, making food when you are sick, or helping to pack when moving. Having family and friends show up in this way shows your child what it looks like to be present for people you love.

Sharing Points of View. This type of support can often come in the form of affirmations and encouragement. For example, pointing out your child’s strengths to them and reminding them they can do anything they put their mind to. It can also look like sharing another perspective if they are being hard on themselves. For example, if they are angry with themselves after receiving a bad grade on a test, you can help them see it as a learning experience and a way for them to grow.

Sharing Information. This type of support is when someone shares what they’ve learned from their own life experiences. For example, if another parent has a child who struggles with socializing, they can share some tips and tricks they’ve learned to help their child find and create social support.

The Importance of Social Groups and Extended Support

Children who are connected to their family, friends, and people in their community have opportunities to learn how to speak, share, and get along with others. When your child feels connected to people in your neighborhood, it often allows them to feel physically safe which can alleviate stress and worry. Simply riding bikes, going on walks, and saying hello to neighbors with your kids can create this sense of security for them.

In addition to engaging with your neighbors, getting involved in local organizations can also create social support for your child. Signing up for a sports team, musical theater, art class or summer camp are all great ways to help your child meet new friends and learn important social skills that can carry them through their lives.

Tips for Helping Kids Make Community Connections:

Spend time outside in your neighborhood playing on the playground, going to a local farmer’s market, or scheduling a playdate with neighborhood kids.

Show your kids that connection is a two-way street. If your neighbors or friends go out of town, offer to get their mail, or water their plants and take your child with you when you go. This will show your child how you show up for people you care about.

Make sure you make time for socializing with friends as well. Your child looks to you first and foremost for how they should act and live their own life.

Encourage your child to step out of their comfort zone and do something they may be scared to do. As a parent, it’s your job to push them into something social for their own well-being at times.