Tag: marriage counseling

Marriage Counseling By drmikeadmin 0 Comments

How to Determine if You Need Marriage Counseling

Every couple goes through periods of ups and downs in their relationship.  As long as the couple has the coping skills in place to overcome stress and difficulty, they will come together to move forward together.  In some cases, the nature of the stressor may overpower the couple’s ability to work through it on their own.  This is when Marriage Counseling can be a valuable tool for a couple’s relationship satisfaction and stability.

Do You Need Marriage Counseling?

Determining if you need Marriage Counseling is not easy and there is no clear answer of why or when.  It is entirely individually based on the couple and their unique needs and set of circumstances.  There are, however, some guidelines that may help you decide if Marriage Counseling is something that can help you and your partner.

 Evaluate Your Relationship

Take a look at your relationship today.

  • Are you happy?
  • Is your spouse happy?
  • Are you more or less content with your relationship now than you were on your wedding day?
  • Have you faced challenges and grown as a couple or started to disconnect?
  • Are there specific problems you are facing, or do you feel an overall sense of disconnection or discontentment?
  • What does your ideal relationship with your spouse look like?
  • How close are you now to that goal?
  • What do you hope for you and your spouse 10 year from now?
  • Considering what your relationship is like today, does that vision seem realistic?

If not you may want to consider Marriage Counseling.

What Marriage Counseling Will Do

The idea is that you want to evaluate your relationship and determine if it is currently meeting your needs.  If not, can you and your spouse work together to improve and grow, or do you think you need some help?  Marriage Counseling can assist a couple to improve their relationship through a wide variety of presenting circumstances.  Whether it be improvement in communication or overcoming infidelity, the goal of Marriage Counseling is to help you overcome difficulty, strengthen your relationship and increase your happiness in your marriage.  If this seems like something you’re looking for, perhaps you and your spouse are ready for Marriage Counseling.

Marriage Counseling By drmikeadmin 0 Comments

10 Common Marital Problems that Marriage Counseling Addresses

As a marriage and family counselor, I’ve worked with couples that present to Marriage Counseling with a wide variety of issues disrupting their marital happiness.  Every couple that comes to Marriage Counseling is different and faces a set a circumstances unique to them.  I will say however, that there are a group of very common problems that couples who come to Marriage Counseling encounter that can cause stress and discord in the relationship.  I feel it is important to recognize some of these common marital problems so that couples may understand that they are not alone in their struggle and that Marriage Counseling can help them address these issues.

These 10 common Marital Problems include:

  • Issues of Money
  • Issues of Sex
  • Issues with Division of Responsibilities
  • Issues of Children and Parenthood
  • Issues with the Involvement and Influence of In-Laws and Other Extended Family
  • Issues of Boredom
  • Issues with Work Stress
  • Leading Separate Lives
  • Issues of Infidelity
  • Problems with Communication

1.    Issues of Money

One of the most common problems in marriage is the issue of money.  Countless couples find difficulty in managing their finances.  They fight about how to save it, how to spend it, who makes more, who makes less…you name it!  Especially early on in a marriage or before a couple marries, talking about finances and sorting out a plan for how money will be managed is extremely important for the health of the relationship and could highly benefit from Marriage Counseling if these conversations are not going smoothly.

2.    Issues of Sex

Another common problem is sex.  Though frequency of sex is the most common issue within this topic, there are also a multitude of other issues sex can bring about.  The sexual relationship between a couple changes and adapts over time and often needs a tune-up.

3.    Issues with Division of Responsibilities

The division of responsibilities within a couple can be a significant source of contention, especially when communication and agreement about how responsibilities will be divided and shared has not taken place.  Communication is a key component of this issue as without it, it can turn into a resentment-filled free-for-all!  This doesn’t need to be this way and can be relatively easily worked out through Marriage Counseling.

4.    Issues of Children and Parenthood

Children and parenthood bring a long list of potential problems to the table for couples.  First and foremost, the desire for and decision to have children and when can bring about disagreement.  What comes next could be difficulty with infertility, adjustment to parenthood and how it changes the relationship, differences in approach to childrearing, and how many children to have.  These examples only scratch the surface and Marriage Counseling can make these conversations go smoother.

5.    Issues with the Involvement and Influence of In-Laws and Other Extended Family 

The involvement and influence of in-laws and other extended family can be another problem for couples.  The over or under-involvement of in-laws or interference in the relationship can cause stress between a couple.  Also difficult are extended family members with a dependency on the couple or inappropriate or unwanted behavior that affects the couple.  This is a complex area involving a lot of people and feelings and Marriage Counseling can help a couple navigate through this in a more comfortable way.

6.    Issues of Boredom

Boredom, though it seems harmless, can be a major problem for couples.  If one or both members of the couple find themselves bored with the relationship and do nothing to change or remedy the situation, it can lead to a separation within the marriage that only gets worse over time and can lead to poor decisions that can be detrimental to the relationship.

7.    Issues with Work Stress

Work stress can have a huge impact on the relationship if boundaries are not well-established between the couple to have a clear separation between work and marriage/family.  Stress that comes home from work and impacts the marriage can create resentment, dissatisfaction, a breakdown in communication and more frequent arguments.

8.    Leading Separate Lives

Marital relationships can suffer significantly when partners begin to lead separate lives.  Though individual independence is a good thing, couples need to have shared interests, engage in joint activities, and spend quality time together in order to maintain a strong connection.

9.    Issues of Infidelity

Infidelity is an issue that is not only common, but can also range in definition.  Infidelity can present as directly as engaging in a sexual relationship outside of the marriage to an online emotional affair.  Whatever the situation, infidelity of any kind can cause exceptional damage to a marriage and Marriage Counseling should be sought immediately to sort things out.

10. Problems with Communication

The final and most common marital issue on this list is problems in communication.  It can present as the only issue in the marriage or it can be the underlying cause of every issue described above.  However it may present in a marriage, solid communication is the basis of every good marriage and without it, the marital bond can start to unravel.  It doesn’t need to be this way.  With Marriage Counseling you can learn the skills to communicate better.

 Why Marriage Counseling

Each of the above-mentioned common marital problems described, and many others, can be addressed and resolved in Marriage Counseling.  Through Marriage Counseling a marriage counselor can help a couple work through their differences, enhance their existing strengths, and find true satisfaction and happiness in their relationship.  If you and your partner have or are experiencing difficulty of any kind in your relationship, Marriage Counseling may be a step that can help you find the resolve you are seeking.

Marriage Counseling By drmikeadmin 0 Comments

How to Approach Your Spouse About Marriage Counseling

Marriage counseling in Boca Raton can be an incredible tool for couples to overcome challenges or strengthen an existing marriage.  In the ideal situation, a couple recognizes the need for help within their relationship and makes a joint decision to seek marriage counseling in Boca Raton.  Unfortunately, this is usually not the norm.  Very often, it is one partner who seeks out Marriage counseling and has the desire to participate.  The problem is, it often difficult for that partner to introduce the concept of marriage counseling in Boca Raton into their relationship.  Hopefully, we can offer you some guidance with this process.

When approaching your spouse about marriage counseling in Boca Raton, it is important to do so with the same attitude you would for most difficult conversations that involve the two of you as a couple.  Approach your spouse about marriage counseling in Boca Raton in a non-threatening and non-blaming manner.   A defensive reaction is quite common in this type of scenario so it is important to stress that the reason you are seeking marriage counseling in Boca Raton is to strengthen your marriage and solve the problems you face together as a team.   At Proliance Center we feel that Marriage Counseling should never be one sided and even if a couple feels that one partner is more “to blame” than the other, it is always an equal partnership when seeking the assistance of a therapist.  When approaching your spouse about marriage counseling in Boca Raton, inform them of this view so that defenses can be softened, bringing you one step closer to a healthier marriage.

Most of the time, the advice given above will be of great help in getting your spouse on board with marriage counseling in Boca Raton.  At times, however, even these tips are unsuccessful.  The important thing to remember in this situation is that marriage counseling in Boca Raton can very often be effective with just one member of the couple.  If you feel that Marriage Counseling will help your marriage but your spouse disagrees and refuses to participate, you have the option to come alone.  In marriage counseling in Boca Raton, it is believed that each member of the couple is a part of the “system” of that couple.  If change happens within one partner, it will undoubtedly have an effect on the couple as a whole and on the non-participating spouse individually.  If you would like more information about marriage counseling in Boca Raton, provided to couples or individuals, a Proliance Center marriage counselor can answer any questions you may have and give you the guidance needed to take a step in the right direction!

Marriage Counseling • • • • • • By drmikeadmin 0 Comments

What Factors to Consider When Choosing a Marriage Therapist

The decision to seek help from a marriage therapist is never easy for couples.  It often comes at a time when your relationship is most vulnerable and at risk.  Therefore, it is important to choose your marriage therapist wisely in order to have the best, most successful experience possible.  Here at Proliance Center, we value certain criteria in our marriage therapists to ensure that you received the highest quality care.  Some of these factors include education, experience, personality, professionalism, and empathy for others.  In addition to these factors, there may be other criteria to consider that will make your experience not only better, but more personalized.

It may not seem important, when the survival of your marriage is at stake, but convenience can often play a significant role in you and your partner’s experience in seeing a marriage therapist.  Issues to consider may include proximity, ease of scheduling, cost, or comfort within the office setting.  All too often, couples may decide to terminate therapy too early because it is no longer convenient.  When you take these issues into consideration before choosing your marriage therapist and plan ahead, you are less likely to terminate too soon for the wrong reasons, therefore having a more successful experience in the end.  At Proliance Center, we work with you to provide the most convenient and comfortable experience possible by providing you with a centralized location, a variety of scheduling options and a comfortable, private setting.

Reputation is another important factor in choosing a marriage therapist.  Take the time to ask around among trusted friends, family members, or professionals for recommendations.  When someone you know has had a successful experience with a particular marriage therapist, that recommendation often holds more weight than a review read online or in an advertisement seen in the newspaper.  You are also more likely to commit to the process of seeing a marriage therapist when it has had a positive impact on the marriage of someone important to you.

Faith is a factor that is important to many couples seeking to see a marriage therapist.  It is always advised for a couple to assess the role they would like their faith to play in their therapy experience and seek help from a marriage therapist professional that can work with them to emphasize their faith through therapy.

These are some of the most important factors to consider when choosing a marriage therapist.  At Proliance Center, we welcome any questions you might have about marriage therapy and are more than willing to share our philosophies, style, approach, and experiences with you so that you can make an educated, confident decision in choosing your marriage therapist.

Marriage Counseling • • • • • By drmikeadmin 0 Comments

Does Marriage Counseling Work If One Partner Won’t Work At The Issues?

A common problem that couples and couples counselors face in marriage counseling occurs when one member of a couple is willing to work on the relationship and the other is not.  Many people may think that if they can’t convince their spouse to join them in marriage counseling, that it won’t work.  Fortunately, this is not always the case.  The approaches in marriage counseling are constantly being redefined to account for challenges and find ways to provide help to those who need it, regardless of their circumstances.  While marriage counseling works best when both partners agree to participate together, there can always be an alternative approach if needed.

At Proliance Center, we approach marriage counseling from a Systems perspective.  What this means is that we believe that although the couple is made up of two individuals, they exist together as a working system, where each individual affects the other.  Similar to the system of a family, when one member makes a change, it changes the dynamic of the whole family, or system.  Therefore, in marriage counseling, the same rules apply.  If one member of the couple makes a positive change, it has the potential to positively change the couple.

It is not uncommon here at Proliance Center for marriage counseling to take place, or at least begin, with just one member of the couple.  In these situations, the therapist works with the individual to help them make positive changes in themselves as well as their approach to their spouse, which can result in a shift in the marital relationship.  Marriage counseling Sessions are often focused on improving individual communication skills, defining goals for the relationship, and addressing how the individual might contribute to existing problems.  What we often find is that the changes the individual makes can either “rub off” on their spouse, or in some cases, be an inspiration to their spouse to begin attending marriage counseling.

The important aspect to recognize is that couples counseling can be provided in a variety of capacities and there is no mandatory structure in order to see results.  Here at Proliance Center, we can assess your needs and work with you based on your capabilities in order to help you make progress and positive changes.  

Premarital Counseling • • • • • By drmikeadmin 0 Comments

The Benefits of Premarital Counseling in Boca Raton, FL

Congratulations!  You and your partner have decided to commit to one another through marriage!  We wish you a long and happy life of wedded bliss!  We all enter into marriage with the best of intentions and when we visualize our lives together, we often focus far more on the positives than the potential pitfalls.  While marriage has the power to bring us life-long happiness and there are a multitude of benefits to committing yourselves to one another, here at Proliance Center, we believe in starting your marriage with the most preparation possible.  We feel it is important to grow as a couple during your engagement and learn about one another in order to best handle the struggles you will face in the future as a unified team.

Proliance center offers premarital counseling in Boca Raton, FL.  We provide premarital counseling in Boca Raton, FL by a highly educated and experienced couple’s counselor to best help couples prepare for the ups and downs that marriage can bring.  A Proliance Center therapist who provides premarital counseling in Boca Raton, FL will help you and your partner to get to know each other in new ways and help you discuss topics in your relationship that may not have already addressed.  In premarital counseling in Boca Raton, FL  you will also learn how to communicate with one another in healthy and productive ways.  You will build on your existing communication skills that are effective and develop new skills to work best with your partner.

Premarital Counseling in Boca Raton, FL at Proliance Center will also help you work through existing struggles in your relationship and find solutions.  With premarital counseling in Boca Raton, FL we will guide you in a safe and comfortable environment to voice your concerns about issues within your relationship or better manage external problems or pressures that effect you as a couple.

At Proliance Center, we believe there is no one single best approach to marriage.  Just as every individual is different, so is every couple.  Your Proliance Center therapist caters a premarital counseling in Boca Raton, FL program for you and your partner so as to best address your needs and highlight your strengths.  We use a combination of marriage education and couples counseling to devise a comprehensive plan of premarital counseling in Boca Raton, FL for you in order to give you basic and generalize information in addition to meeting your individual needs.

Proliance Center believes in premarital counseling in Boca Raton, FL as a strong resource for couples because the research supports it.  Studies show that premarital counseling in Boca Raton, FL and education reduces the rate of divorce of participants by 30%.  Even though the findings are strong, many couples choose not to participate in premarital preparation or counseling due to cost, time, etc.  What we at Proliance Center often stress is that we rarely enter into any new situation without some form of instruction or preparation.  Since your marriage is about to become the most important relationship in your life, why not invest in its health and longevity in the future?

If you are thinking about participating in premarital counseling in Boca Raton, FL or have questions about the process, a Proliance Center therapist is here to help!

Uncategorized • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • By drmikeadmin 0 Comments

What Marriage Counselors Do for their Patients

As a therapist who works with many couples, I’m often asked by first-time patients, “what can I expect when I come?” or “what will you do for us?.”  In essence, they want to know what marriage counselors do for their patients.  Though what marriage counselors do for their patients seems like a simple question to ask, the answer is never the same from one couple to the next.  Here at Proliance Center, what marriage counselors do for their patients is that we approach marriage counseling with the goal of personally tailoring the treatment we provide to each individual couple, based on their needs at the time of therapy.  What marriage counselors do for their patients here is that we recognize that each couple’s needs are different, depending on the stage of their relationship, environmental and situational factors, family lives, and other influences that have unique effects on each couple we see.  What couples can consistently expect at Proliance Center (what marriage counselors do for their patients here) is not only the highest degree of professionalism and training, but also personal regard and support as you move through the process of marriage counseling.

As therapists, we consider it a privilege that what marriage counselors do for their patients is to be invited into the couple relationship and we therefore treat this privilege with a great deal of respect and dedication.  It is often difficult for couples to take the step toward marriage counseling and know that it is frequently deemed last resort.  At Proliance Center, what marriage counselors do for their patients is to approach each new couple that seeks our services without judgment or bias. What marriage counselors do for their patients here is that we form a supportive alliance with you as a couple, not with one partner or the other.  Here what marriage counselors do for their patients is to view the day you decide to start counseling as a new beginning in your relationship and while we can’t repair the past, we can help you move forward in the most healthy and loving way.  What marriage counselors do for their patients at Proliance is to help you see the strengths in your marriage that frequently go overlooked and encourage you to build upon these strengths to make the future more satisfying.  We will also help you to find acceptance in the past and hope for the future.  Our goal in what marriage counselors do for their patients at Proliance is for each couple we assist is to guide them to a place where their marriage is the most satisfying part of their lives.

At Proliance Center, what marriage counselors do for their patients is evident in our therapists who truly love what they do and it is reflected in their work every day.  We strive to provide you with the highest quality of care because we truly care about you and the well-being of your relationship.  We will work with you and your partner to tailor a personal plan that best addresses the areas of your relationship that need improvement.  We invite your feedback and consider the process of therapy a team effort, involving consistent evaluation of the treatment process to ensure your progress.  Though we are experts in our fields of practice, we view the patients we see as experts on their own lives and relationships. What marriage counselors do for their patients is to highly value this expertise in the therapeutic setting.

If you feel that your relationship is in need of extra attention and support, a Proliance Center therapist would be honored to help you and your partner on your journey to a more happy and satisfying relationship!

Family Therapy • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • By drmikeadmin 0 Comments

How to Find a Family Therapist in Boca Raton, Florida

Some of the greatest joys for parents are experienced within the confines of a stable and healthy family relationship.  There is little question that when a family is happy and healthy, life is pretty good.  Unfortunately, not all families experience this health and happiness at all times.  Outside stressors, lack of balance, family crisis, or other mental health challenges can bring a family into a state of instability at any time.  It is during these times that a Family Therapist in Boca Raton Florida is often sought out to help families find the resiliency needed to cope with their circumstances in the healthiest way.  With so many choices out there, it is difficult to determine how to choose a Family Therapist in Boca Raton Florida that is right for you and your family.

How do I narrow my search of a Family Therapist in Boca Raton Florida to someone I can trust?

One of the best ways to find a Family Therapist in Boca Raton Florida is to ask trusted sources in your life for referrals.  These sources might include your physician, family and/or friends, or a representative from your religious affiliation.  Good family therapists often come with good reputations.  Proliance Center therapists not only have years of education and experience to offer, but also come with reputations of success in treating individuals, couples, and families in South Florida.

How do I know if the Family Therapist in Boca Raton Florida I choose is qualified to help my family?

One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a qualified Family Therapist in Boca Raton Florida is their education, training, and experience in the field.  At Proliance Center, your Family Therapist in Boca Raton Florida holds a doctoral-level degree in family-specific therapy as well as over 10 years of experience working with families in a variety of treatment capacities.

It is also important for you to have an understanding of the therapist’s approach to Family Therapy in Boca Raton Florida.  There are a variety of theories and treatment modalities used in the field of family therapy.  We feel families should have a solid understanding of the treatment process that their Family Therapist in Boca Raton Florida will use.  We encourage you to ask questions and are here to provide you with answers and support in your decision to choose a Family Therapist in Boca Raton Florida that will be the best fit for your family.

What other factors should I consider in choosing a Family Therapist in Boca Raton Florida?

Once you have established that your Family Therapist in Boca Raton Florida is educated and trained in family counseling and has been recommended by a source you trust, you have to make sure they are the right person for you and your specific needs.  Use your intuition to evaluate whether this is a person with whom you and your family can share their concerns and experiences.  Take notice of whether you feel heard and understood.  Before committing to a Family Therapist in Boca Raton Florida, take the time to interview your options.  A Proliance Center family therapist is always a phone call away to answer any questions you might have about their background, experience, and treatment approach and help you to feel supported through the process.

Marriage Counseling • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • By drmikeadmin 0 Comments

How to Find a Marriage Counselor in Boca Raton, Florida

One of the most difficult decisions to make as a couple is to agree that it’s time to seek help from a Marriage Counselor in Boca Raton Florida.  For many people, it is considered a weakness, or even a failure, to need outside help to manage the struggles you face together.  Here at Proliance Center, we view this decision as an act of strength and courage.  Finding help from a Marriage Counselor in Boca Raton Florida means that you not only recognize the patterns in your relationship that have caused your relationship to suffer, but that you are ready to make a change together.  You’ve decided to put your marriage first!

While we recognize this decision as one of progress, we also realize how difficult it is to find the right professional for you.   Therefore, we hope to help you prioritize your needs in marriage and couples therapy to find the Marriage Counselor in Boca Raton Florida that is the best match for you.

What are some important qualities to look for in a competent and caring Marriage Counselor in Boca Raton Florida?

At Proliance Center, we believe that marriage therapy works best when you are comfortable in your relationship with your Marriage Counselor in Boca Raton Florida.  It is important to use your intuition and determine if you not only like the professional, but whether they are able to understand your needs.  Some important questions you may want to ask yourself might include, “Is my Marriage Counselor in Boca Raton Florida interested in my partner and I?  Does my Marriage Counselor in Boca Raton Florida ask important questions?  Does my Marriage Counselor in Boca Raton Florida take the time to get to know us and understand our strengths and struggles?”

Once you have determined that your Marriage Counselor in Boca Raton Florida is someone with whom you can have a positive working relationship, the education and experience of this professional should be reviewed.  At Proliance Center, couples work with a doctoral-level couples Counselor with specific education in the dynamics of couples counseling.  Couples can also find comfort in the 10+ years of experience your Counselor has working with couples through a variety of struggles and presenting problems.

Often, the above-mentioned factors are all that couples need to choose the Marriage Counselor in Boca Raton Florida that is right for them.  However, other characteristics may influence your decision as well.  It may be important for couples to consider geographic location, referrals from trusted sources, and scheduling/availability, as examples of more specific factors that may influence your decision.  Whatever your personal needs might be, your Proliance Center Marriage Counselor in Boca Raton Florida is here to answer any questions you may have about the process.  We invite you to communicate freely with us before, during, and after your experience.  We encourage you to express your concerns and questions so that we may best serve you and your partner!

A male and female interlocking hands in what appears to be a strong, happy relationship.

Building Communication with Relationship Therapy

Most couples will argue from time to time. For the most part, this is normal behavior, because loving someone doesn’t necessarily …

Man sitting on couch holding hands over his face as his partner walks away angrily.

The Five Stages of Ending a Long-Term Relationship

Sometimes relationships just aren’t meant to be. Love has plenty of ups and downs, but increasing negativity can be a sign …

Vintage photo of a peaceful, beautiful nature scene with river and trees.

Smell The Roses: The Benefits of Nature Therapy

With the hustle and bustle of our daily lives and responsibilities, it can be hard to remember to take time to “stop and …