When your partner refuses to attend couples therapy, it can be a difficult situation. It's important to start by understanding why they don't want to go. Like preventive care, couples therapy can do a lot of good, and it's not something that can be forced. However, there are alternatives that can be explored.
When discussing counseling, it's important to use a positive and collaborative approach. Instead of telling your spouse what you need, start by telling them what you love about them and your marriage. Remind them why you married them and what you enjoy about marriage. Then explain that you want more of that and that you want the marriage to be even better.
Marriage counseling isn't just about dealing with the bad aspects of marriage, but also about expanding the good aspects. If you didn't start with the positive, apologize and try again. If you're considering marriage therapy, chances are your marriage is going through a rough patch and you're feeling stuck as to how to improve it. Even if your spouse refuses to see a marriage therapist, there are still options available for working on your marriage.
Here are 10 things that can be good indicators that your marriage could be at risk:
- You don't feel heard or understood
- You don't feel appreciated or valued
- You don't feel connected or close
- You don't feel safe or secure
- You don't feel respected or trusted
- You don't feel supported or encouraged
- You don't feel loved or accepted
- You don't feel like a team
- You don't feel like you can talk openly and honestly
- You don't feel like you can work together to solve problems
