It’s estimated that about 750,000 couples seek out counseling together every year. While that might seem like a big number, when you consider how many people are in relationships, it’s not such a staggering statistic.

There are plenty of reasons why couples might not seek out counseling. However, some people choose not to get involved with couples counseling because they’re listening to common myths and misconceptions that couldn’t be further from the truth.

If you’ve been considering couples counseling but you’ve heard a few too many of those myths, it’s time to put them to rest. Let’s dive a little deeper into those misconceptions and dig into the truth about what you can expect from couples counseling.

Myth: Counseling Means Your Relationship Is Over

Couples counseling doesn’t mean your relationship or marriage is doomed to fail. In fact, you don’t even need to wait until there’s a “problem” to benefit from counseling.

By working together with a professional, you are saying that you’re committed to making the relationship work. You want to be on the same path and make sure there aren’t any underlying issues that should be addressed now so they don’t become bigger in the future. Counseling is a way to nurture your relationship.

Can you seek out counseling for specific reasons, including relationship troubles? Absolutely. Does it always mean everything will work out? No. However, counseling itself doesn’t mean your relationship is at its end.

Myth: A Counselor Will Take Sides

It’s a counselor’s job to remain neutral when working with couples. They might ask you to look at your partner’s perspective at times (or vice versa), and they might help you both create realistic expectations. However, at no point will they solely focus on one person or suggest that one partner is right and one is wrong. You should both feel seen, heard, and valued throughout each session.

Myth: Counseling Will Make Things Worse

There’s no denying that couples counseling can force you to face some of the challenges in your relationship. You might end up talking about things you’ve been putting off for years, or opening up in ways you never have before. While that can be hard, it’s well worth it when it comes to the health of your partnership.

Counseling isn’t designed to make things worse. Those challenges can be difficult in the moment, but they are meant to make you stronger as a couple.

Myth: You’ll See Immediate Results

Unfortunately, some couples choose to go to counseling expecting some kind of “quick fix” for their relationship.

You might discover some things about yourself or your partner relatively quickly in couples counseling. You might even be able to work through specific conflicts quite quickly. But, counseling isn’t meant to serve as a quick patch for your relationship.

There’s no timeline when it comes to how long you and your partner might stay in counseling. Some couples might only attend for a few months. Others see counseling as a maintenance effort for their relationship and choose to attend for years. So, while some things can certainly be worked out in just a few sessions, you should consider some of the long-term benefits of sticking with counseling for more than just several weeks.

Is Couples Counseling Right for You?

Hopefully, this has put a few myths and misconceptions about couples counseling to rest. Unfortunately, there are plenty more out there that keep far too many people from getting the support they deserve.

If you have more questions about couples counseling or you and your partner are ready to take that step together, I would be honored to work with you. Contact my office today to set up a consultation.