How Couples Therapy Can Help You Get “Un-Stuck”

If you are in search of couples therapy, odds are you might feel stuck. Maybe you’re stuck in frustrating communication patterns. Or maybe you’re feeling stuck due to unresolved past hurt. 

There are many things that can happen in your relationship that can make you feel stuck. Thankfully, couples therapy can help! Today, you will read about the things that make you feel stuck and how couples therapy can help you become “un-stuck”. 

Good News: We All Get Stuck Sometimes!

First, it’s important to talk about how it is normal and expected that you will sometimes feel stuck. (Related Article: Couple Problems). The couples I work with in counseling often worry that their feelings of frustration aren’t normal or that something is wrong with them for feeling stuck in their current position. 

As odd as it sounds, it’s not unusual to become stuck! Especially when it comes to relationships. Things change, challenges come up, and you work with your spouse to adapt and overcome. And sometimes the solutions you find work, and you are able to move forward. But, life is complicated! You and your spouse might try out different strategies and solutions, and then you get stuck, unsure of what to do next. (Related Article: Sincere Change in Couples Therapy). 

Let’s talk about some common issues couples face that might have you feeling stuck.

Communication Issues

Ah, yes. The most common concern couples bring to therapy: communication issues. You might relate to this in your own relationship. Maybe you feel like the things you say go in one ear and out the other. Or maybe you and your spouse can’t stop fighting, even when you’re not looking for conflict! Communication problems are very common in relationship counseling, and for good reason! A successful relationship requires lots of effective communication. Without good communication skills, it can be easy to feel like you are just going in circles, headed nowhere fast. 

Life Changes 

If you have been in a long term relationship, this might sound familiar. You just had a baby. You moved to a new city. Maybe your partner started a new, stressful job. Or maybe you are just getting older. What do these experiences have in common? Major life changes. These situations require adapting how you do things and how you and your spouse communicate. You might feel like things were wonderful in your relationship until… (insert life change here). (Related article: Couples Therapy in Utah). If you experience relationship issues after major life changes, it’s no wonder you are struggling! The rules have changed and the playing field is suddenly very different. And it’s normal and expected that when things in your life circumstances change, you and your partner might struggle to adjust.  

Hurt and Betrayal

These relationship problems can feel scary. Infidelity, hurtful comments, dishonesty… all issues that can create complicated and frustrating situations that leave you and your spouse feeling very stuck. (Related Article: How Marriage Counseling Heals Infidelity). It can be hard to know what to do when you are hurting after a betrayal in your relationship. Suddenly, you might begin to feel very stuck and very confused about the next steps. (Related Article: Recovery From Infidelity)

Couples Therapy Can Help You Get “Un-Stuck”

Thankfully, you do not have to handle these challenging and frustrating relationship issues alone. Couples therapy is a great resource for when you are feeling stuck. In therapy, you will work with your counselor to find the source of the things that keep you stuck. And you will work to set goals and develop skills that help you move forward with confidence. 

Ready to get “un-stuck”? Start couples therapy in Orem, South Jordan, or Spanish Fork, or via Telehealth for anyone in Utah.

Written by Lauren Adkins