In the U.S., about three out of five people remain friends after a breakup. There’s a solid foundation for friendship, so what made the relationship end? A number of things can happen, and one of the biggest is the breakup of first-time parents. Parenting is hard, and it requires a cohesive unit, especially when sleep deprivation is happening. That’s just one reason for a breakup. Others include:
- Bad habits
- Cheating
- Financial struggles
- Lack of affection
- Lack of communication
- Lack of support
- Lying
- Misdirected anger
- Toxic behaviors
The good news is that an American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy study found that close to three out of four couples who go to couples therapy feel that their relationship improves. Nine out of 10 feel that their emotional health improves. Both of those are important benefits. Couples therapy makes a difference, but you have to give it a try.
Top Reasons Why Couples Avoid Therapy
If therapy is beneficial, why do so many couples avoid it? Several factors come into play. The biggest is that people don’t understand what happens. They fear that bringing their issues to light will lead to them being judged. There’s also the issue of having the time.
To go to couples therapy, you have to arrange a time when you can both get to the office. You have to get to that office from your home, and you may need to fit it around a babysitter’s schedule.
This is where online couples therapy helps. Several benefits occur when you arrange online couples therapy.
Online Therapy is Virtually Hassle-Free
Online couples therapy is ideal whether you live in a rural area or have long work hours. You don’t have to make a long drive into the city, which can mean hours for some people. You don’t have to leave your home.
If you’re at work, you can close yourself into a quiet meeting room or office and participate in therapy during a break. You could attend online therapy before you head to work or after you get home. It’s far more flexible than traditional therapy.
It’s much harder to run into scheduling issues when you have the flexibility of online sessions. You arrange them at a time when it’s convenient for you. You don’t have to get in a car and drive or risk getting lost if you have to go into an unfamiliar area. It’s so much easier and more convenient.
You do need to work with your therapist and partner to ensure the time you choose is convenient for everyone. The best way to do this is by having several time options and seeing where you’re all available.
You Meet in the Most Comfortable Setting
When you attend online therapy, being in a familiar environment is comforting. There’s less nervousness, which helps you feel relaxed. Because you’re relaxed, it’s easier to speak your mind than if you’re in a strange location where your mind is distracted by the newness of the room, the building’s noises, and even the room temperature.
Online therapy works best if you have prepared a private space that’s free of distractions. If you have pets or kids at home, moving to a private bedroom and asking for an hour or so alone is important. This might mean putting on a movie for kids or hiring a teen to sit with your kids while you’re in therapy. If you have family who live nearby, you could have your kids go out with them for a walk or an area park for a while.
If you’re worried about your therapist’s family or friends walking in during your session, you don’t have to. Therapists follow HIPAA laws and abide by your right to privacy. If they don’t, they could face penalties and even the loss of their license.
It Provides More Accessibility
Accessibility is another benefit of online therapy. If you suffer from social anxiety, sitting in a therapist’s office can trigger anxiety attacks or an emotional shutdown that makes it impossible to talk openly and honestly.
If you have a physical disability, leaving your home may require extra coordination to access transportation options that work for your needs. You also have to ensure the building is ADA-compliant with the equipment you need to get to the therapist’s office. You might deal with hearing or vision impairments that require items like braille posters and signs or someone who knows sign language.
When you have a therapist who offers online counseling sessions, it’s easier to accommodate needs like these. It also provides a wider range of therapists because you can expand your search to therapists who are on the other side of the state or even on another side of the country. You’re not limited to a handful of local therapists.
Technology Helps With Communication
Sometimes it’s easier to speak openly and honestly if you’re not face-to-face with another person. Technology can help with that. You see the other person on your monitor or screen, but you’re not right next to them. That distance can help open the channel for honest communication.
Plus, technology can help someone with a disability who needs special technology for a session. A therapist may not have speech-to-text technology available at the office, but you already have it at home.
As you work on feeling free to speak up for yourself, you can begin to introduce the concept of talking to your partner in person. Couples therapy doesn’t have to be an overnight success. Baby steps are often better for developing the solid foundation you need for a healthy relationship.
The Benefits of Online Couples Therapy
When you work with The Relationship Expert, you gain insights and tips for building a healthy, happy relationship by learning how to:
- Become connected.
- Gain the skills needed to listen and validate each other to ensure you’re both truly feeling heard.
- Identify and better manage your emotions to avoid overreactions.
- Learn how to speak up for yourself and not shut down.
- Manage your stress and anger to avoid misplaced anger.
- Overcome insecurities.
- Rebuild trust.
- Stop judging each other.
Relationship therapy does require both parties to work together on their issues. Even if you feel your partner shoulders full responsibility after breaking your trust by having an affair or lying to you, there’s a reason why that happened. You need to get to the bottom of it and resolve every issue to start building trust and strengthening your relationship.
Whatever happens, give online couples therapy a chance to help you. Most people find it takes anywhere from 10 to 15 sessions before there are noticeable results. Isn’t your relationship worth it? Arrange a consultation with The Relationship Expert today by filling out the online “Request a Session” form.
