Every relationship has its ups and downs, whether you’ve been together for a few months, a few years or a few decades. Sometimes, these rough patches are just temporary and can be relatively easy to get through with some teamwork and a little extra elbow grease. On the other hand, these bumps in the road can sometimes become a little more permanent, causing long-term issues that require the help of an experienced counselor or therapist.
But how do you determine the difference between a rough patch and a long-term issue in your relationship? When is the right time to seek out help, and how can therapy help save your relationship? If you and your partner are hitting what could be a ‘rough patch’ and wondering what the best course of action is to take in your relationship, we’re here to help. Keep reading to discover how to determine whether it’s just a bump in the road or something long-term that may require you to reach out for help in order to save the relationship.
When It’s More Than Just a Rough Patch
The definition of what a ‘rough patch’ is may vary from couple to couple, but it’s important to keep in mind that any rough patch can quickly transform into something more permanent and devastating to the relationship if it’s ignored or not handled properly. There are a few key situations to keep in mind when determining if an issue at hand has evolved beyond a simple rough patch, and you may need professional help.
If you have reached a point in the rough patch where communication is breaking down, or negativity is becoming the norm, this may be a sign that it is evolving beyond a simple, solvable issue. This is especially true if either is one-sided, as a breakdown in communication can cause stress on the partner attempting to communicate and negativity can quickly lead to erosion in trust and the mental state of the partner that it is directed at.
In addition, if there is a feeling of disengagement in a relationship, this may be a sign that a problem is evolving beyond the point of a rough patch. This can be the feeling of living more like roommates than an intimate couple or simply a lack of engagement between partners. Oftentimes, our day-to-day lives can get in the way of our relationships if we don’t make the time and save the energy to dedicate to our partners. As this escalates, it can damage the relationship long term and lead to disengagement. This situation may call for the help of a licensed marriage counselor or therapist to help reengage and rekindle the relationship.
Finally, if your relationship has hit a critical point in which one partner has violated the trust of the other, such as through a direct lie or infidelity, this is a signal that the issue is already beyond a simple rough patch. Rebuilding broken trust is an arduous process, especially in an intimate relationship, and will involve the assistance of an outside professional to help navigate the ups and downs that follow.
When to Seek Help
Admitting to yourself that you and your partner might need help in order to navigate an issue is the first step towards overcoming the problem and rekindling your relationship in a positive light. However, determining when is the best time to reach out for help can be a difficult process. And while there are a few instances that call for immediate assistance, such as severe emotional turmoil such as that experienced around infidelity, the realistic answer to this question is that couples can and should seek out assistance in navigating a rough patch any time that they think they may need it.
Whether you’re unsure of what to do next or not clear on if you really need help, it’s okay to reach out to a professional to help give you guidance and clarity on what to do next. At the same time, if you are feeling burnt out or overwhelmed by the situation, it’s important to protect your mental health and your relationship by reaching out to a licensed counselor or therapist to assist you.
What Couples Therapy Can Offer
Once you’ve decided to seek out the assistance of a licensed marriage counselor or couples therapist, you have already taken the first step towards fixing your relationship. Whether you’re attending weekly one-on-one sessions with a therapist or have opted for a weekend marriage intensive retreat, couples therapy can offer a multitude of positive solutions and outcomes for any relationship.
Right off the bat, working with an experienced professional can help give you and your partner an expert, objective opinion on the issue itself. Your therapist will function as an outside party with no allegiance to either side. Combined with their professional training and experience in this area, this can help give them a unique perspective on the issue and how to resolve it that you may have not considered. Your therapist can also offer a variety of tools and techniques to help you both overcome the rough patch based on scientific principles and their professional experience in the area.
In addition, couples therapy offers the opportunity for partners to reestablish emotional intimacy and communication. Through ongoing discussions with your therapist, you will work together to identify ways of overcoming the problem at hand together, helping you build back trust and reaffirming your place together. This involves communication from both partners, which can be effective in bringing avoidant or less communicative partners into the conversation in a positive, meaningful way that will promote understanding and foster intimacy.
Navigating Challenges Together with Professional Support
No matter how long you’ve been together and how well you get along, every relationship can and will experience rough patches. If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed by an issue at hand, it’s important to protect your mental health and your relationship by reaching out to a licensed therapist or couples counselor to help you navigate the problem. Through their guidance, you can reestablish emotional intimacy, rebuild trust, and reaffirm communication, effectively setting you up for success in overcoming the rough patch together and coming out stronger on the other side.
If you’re interested in seeking out help with a rough patch in your relationship or simply not sure where you stand with an issue at hand, we’re happy to help. Reach out to us to speak to a licensed marriage therapist and we’ll provide you with the guidance and tools that you need to overcome your rough patch and reaffirm your relationship.
