Facing Relationship Challenges? The Benefits of Christian Couples Counseling

Does your relationship as a couple seem strained since you moved to a new city or had your kiddos?

You used to be on the same page about so many things. The one thing that kept you really close was your relationship with God and now it feels off. This difference has created a rift between you. You feel like a lot of the time you are on your own parenting. The amount of time you spend together having fun as a couple or family has gotten less frequent. This past week you had an argument about having a Bible study with the kids. 

How can Christian Couples Counseling help?

Christian couples counseling is a way of integrating faith back into your relationship and making both stronger. It’s more than knowing which Bible verses apply to communication and conflict resolution, although that is so helpful. Using an assessment like Prepare/Enrich, can help your counselor see where you truly align with your spouse and where you can do your work to overcome the most stress. It’s a process of gaining encouragement and hope. A way to appreciate each other and build on each other’s strengths.

Counseling with a Christian can help you make small adjustments in line with what you both believe God wants. It will pay off. It’s more than you can get from learning from others in Bible Study Fellowship or a life group. It’s a practical and accountable application of what you both commit to weekly for 8-12 weeks. 

How do I know we need couples counseling?

Has your spouse seemed unhappy or distant. Have you been telling yourself this will pass or we’re doing fine compared to that couple that argues all the time? Make those little tweaks now. You will probably feel more or less urgent about going to counseling than your spouse. 

Making time right now seems impossible with all the kiddo’s activities not to mention things around the house, work, obligations, social life and finding some time to getaway. Placing your marriage first after your relationship with God, is the most important thing you can do for your kids. Most couples wait 6-7 years longer than when it would be most helpful to do a tune-up. Be pro-active. 

A few tips on finding a Christian couples counselor:

·   Does the content on the website resonate with your pain, story and struggles?

·   Do you feel hope based on being understood, and realistic promises regarding positive changes?

·   Are you able to chat with the counselor before the first meeting to see if this is the right therapist for you?

·   For building trust, you may look at the About or Meet page and see what the person’s credentials are, where they were trained, the professional organizations they identify with.

·   On the same page look for some personal information regarding their faith and life. Read a blog or two. Do your beliefs align?

·   You may see if they are listed on a counseling directory.

·   Do they have openings that work for you on a weekly basis?

Are you ready to face you relationship challenges with a Christian Counselor?

What’s blocking you? Make a list of those things and write a truth next to each reason not to go. Decide what benefits you’ll gain from a better relationship with your spouse. Consider seeking a Christian counselor as a valuable, time-saving resource. You can experience your relationship go to the next level. Start laughing together again. The Lord will honor your work.