Can Couples Therapy Be Effective When My Partner Isn't On Board?
Sometimes, couples struggle to agree on solutions to fix their relationship challenges. For instance, a wife might feel like they need couples therapy, but the husband doesn't see things that way. This presents a challenging situation. If you're faced with this dilemma, you might want to know if couples therapy will work if one partner isn't on board. Read on to find out our answer.
Reasons Why Some People Do Not Want Couple's Therapy
There are a lot of reasons why some individuals do not want couples therapy. Most people feel as though it's an invasion of their privacy. They generally wouldn't feel comfortable airing out their dirty laundry to a stranger. Also, many people fear that the therapist will take their partner's side and team up against them. Before you conclude your partner doesn't want couples therapy, you must understand why they are reluctant to go.
Will Couples Therapy Work If One Partner Isn't On Board?
There is no simple answer to this question. If your partner doesn't want to go to therapy, then you will be left with two options. You can either convince them to attend or to go to therapy on your own. When it comes to going to therapy on your own, there is no evidence that suggests individual therapy will help a couple’s problems.
This doesn't mean that individual therapy is useless. It will help you as a person, but it won't help with the problems you are facing with your partner. Also, you must understand that no evidence doesn't mean that attending couples therapy alone doesn't help. It only means that, according to statistics, there is no data to back up whether couples therapy will work if your partner is not on board.
Why you should consider individual Couples therapy
There are several reasons why you might decide to go to therapy without your partner. Even with your partner absent, therapy will help you consider your options. It will also help you to come up with a strategy. At the end of it, you will know whether you want to continue with the relationship or not. It's also good for formulating a strategy.
The Dangers of Going to Couples Therapy Alone
Going to therapy alone can help but it can also create some serious problems. Apart from feeling more alone than before, it can also create a picture in your mind that it's all up to you. In fact, you and that you are responsible for working things out on your own. In some cases, your partner might feel left out. Others might even think that it's now you and your therapist against them.
How Can I Get My Partner To Agree To Couples Therapy
There is no single way of getting your partner to agree to couples therapy. But, there are things you can do to make them consider. Try the following:
● First, understand why they don't want to go for couples therapy.
● Ask them what they think will help instead.
● Ask if they would at least consider talking to a therapist on the phone.
● Let them know what to expect from couples therapy
● Gift them a book written by a therapist.
Above all, the goal is not to coerce your partner into agreeing. Try and explain how much it means to you if they decide to go to therapy with you.
Couples therapy is more effective when both partners are on board. Attending the sessions alone can end up creating more problems, and you don't want that.
Begin Couples Therapy in Wake Forest, NC
Going to couples therapy with your partner can be difficult if you aren’t on the same page. But, the benefits are more than worth the hard work it takes to make sure you are being heard. Our Wake Forest, NC-based therapy practice is happy to provide support to anyone living in North Carolina. To start your therapy journey with our team of caring therapists, please follow these simple steps:
Meet with a caring therapist
Begin repairing your relationship
Other Services Offered at My Therapist
Couples Therapy isn’t the only service offered at our Wake Forest, NC-based therapy practice. Other services provided include family therapy, individual therapy for relationship issues, couples intensive therapy, and couples workshops and retreats. You can also learn about AAMFT & LMHC-approved supervision, foundations of lasting love, and our blog!
Sources
https://www.healthline.com/health/relationships/partner-wont-consider-couples-therapy