It's no secret that marriage takes work. Even the seemingly happiest relationships can benefit from a tune-up every now and then. Deciding to work with a counselor to sort out the issues in your marriage is an important first step. But it's equally important to make sure that you and your partner find a counselor who makes you both feel comfortable and who is committed to helping you achieve your goals. If you're looking for a professional to help your marriage, you will want to know the ways to find a good marriage counselor.
There is no shortage of marriage counselors out there, but not everyone who calls themselves a counselor is qualified to help you and your partner with your specific set of issues. You will be sharing some very personal information with your therapist, which is why it's particularly important that you and your partner feel comfortable with the person you choose. Don't be afraid to seek referrals from your primary care physician or other married friends you trust. Both of you should be prepared to ask potential therapists about their values and treatment styles to be sure that they are in line with your core beliefs.
You may have to interview a few therapists before finding one that you both agree on, but once you decide on a counselor, you should begin seeing change in your relationship within a few months.
1Make Sure They're Experienced
Before you and your partner sit down with a therapist, you should make sure they are qualified to help you with your issues. As Psychology Today mentioned, your counselor should have specific training and experience in marital therapy.
2Take Your Time
You and your partner should know that it's totally ok to interview a few potential therapists before deciding on the one you want to go with. According to Psych Central, you should meet with a few counselors to determine which is the best fit.
3Get A Referral
Your primary care physician, an online therapist finder, and even your married friends can be a great resource for identifying a good marriage counselor to work with. As Psychology Today pointed out, one of the best ways to find a good therapist is through word of mouth.
4Look For Someone Who Shares Your Values
When interviewing potential therapists, find out if their practice is influenced by any principles that could come into conflict with yours. Before starting a relationship with a marital counselor, it's important to make sure the therapist shares your core values, as Good Therapy pointed out.
5Make Sure You're Getting Results
Once you've made the decision to begin therapy, it will take time to see results. But you should be seeing progress along the way. As Good Therapy mentioned, you should begin to see changes in your relationship within a few months. If not, you may want to start looking for another counselor.
6Your Goals Are Aligned
Before you begin your sessions, you should know exactly what you want to get out of your therapy — and your therapist should be on board. As Guidedoc.com pointed out, you, your partner, and your therapist should have agreed on a clear set of goals for your sessions.
7Trust Your Instincts
Like any relationship, you should feel comfortable with the marriage counselor you choose to work with. If you or your partner don't feel free to share with your therapist, you should look for someone else.
