Anxiety Help – Couples Therapy

Anxiety help often comes in the form of couples therapy. When one of you struggles, you both struggle. Anxiety in either yourself or your partner can cause marriage problems (Related Article: What To Do About Marriage Problems Because Of Anxiety). Knowing what to do when you are having marriage problems because of anxiety is important. 

I’ll outline several key factors to working on your marriage when one of you has anxiety problems. These are often done in couples therapy or at home just between the two of you. 

Communicate About Your Anxiety

This one might seem like a no-brainer. When you have anxiety, talk about it. However, there are many who believe that they are supposed to ignore it and just get over it (Related Article: 3 Principles Of Emotional Health). They believe that emotions, such as anxiety, are bad. It is uncomfortable, yes, but not bad. It can make you struggle, but it isn’t inherently bad. So, talking about your anxiety with your spouse is part of letting it go, eventually (Related Article: Emotions 101: How To Be Healthy). 

For example, if you have anxiety, you can tell your partner, “I’m feeling anxious about the upcoming meeting I have and I‘m not sure what to do about it.” This gives you both the chance to connect about it. 

Learn Individual Skills

As you do couples work, its important to also build your individual skill tool box. Skills such as diaphragmatic breathing can work well and you don’t need a partner to do it (Related Article: Just Breathe! Reduce Anxiety With This Simple Exercise). You can also learn about polarized thinking (Related Article: Counseling Tip: Polarized Thinking Is Hurting You). Also, learning about primary versus secondary emotions can help (Related Article: How To Be Emotionally Healthy: Primary Versus Secondary Emotions). 

Work with a couples counselor in Utah for anxiety help. Offices in South Jordan, Orem, Spanish Fork and American Fork. 

Written by Triston Morgan, PhD, Utah Marriage and Family Therapist