Relationships Can Be Hard. But That’s Why They Are Worth It
Address Marriage Problems In A Safe Environment
It can be tough to resolve issues as a couple. That’s why it’s so important to reach out for help when you need it most. Marriage therapy in Springfield is a great way to do your marriage’s work to survive while also being heard as an individual with needs. Know that you’re not alone. At Psych Associates, we’re here for you. Call to schedule your initial consultation and start sessions.
Mica Ollila, LCSW
With a passion for helping couples build strong and resilient relationships, Mica specializes in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) that fosters deeper connections and effective communication. Her approach to couples therapy is rooted in creating a safe and supportive environment where partners can explore their emotions, strengthen their bond, and overcome challenges together.
She believes that every couple deserves the opportunity to thrive and grow in their relationship. Through her work, she guides couples in navigating conflicts, resolving differences, and rediscovering the love and intimacy that brought them together.
Ian Douglas, M.S.
Ian works with adolescents, adults, and couples. He specializes in trauma, grief, and pornography issues. He works with a wide variety of “process addictions” where people find themselves stuck in patterns of behavior that may limit their success. He has been an important part of Psych Associates since 2018.
Why Marriage Counseling Is Important For Couples
It may seem like going and getting marriage therapy is the first step to giving up on the commitment you made years ago. You may even believe that asking for help in your marriage makes you a failure. What’s more, sharing your marriage problems with a stranger is super frightening. Know that you’re not the only individual or couple who feels this way.
Imagine your dream marriage? You probably reminisce on the days leading up to and the six months to 24 months after your marriage. Everything was perfect. You and your partner communicated, and there were no marriage problems you two couldn’t tackle together. Those were the days that excited you about being with your partner. Know that your relationship with your partner can be exciting again. All it takes is a little initiative from you and your partner.
You can add the “spark” back into your marriage if you’re curious. At Psych Associates, we believe that you and your partner can find a way to breathe life back into your relationship. Here are some ways marriage therapy can help you and your partner.
1. Identify & Alleviate Toxic Relationship Patterns
Involving a licensed therapist to identify marriage problems can be a relationship-saving process. You or your spouse may not realize the negativity that one or both of you bring to your marriage. Therefore seeking help from a marriage therapist can help you and your spouse identify the toxic patterns and habits in your relationship and address them in a healthy, productive manner.
2. Explore Your Marriage Problems
A new perspective on the same marriage problems can help uncover solutions. A great place to begin exploring sensitive topics is in marriage therapy. A licensed therapist can help you, and your spouse discovers the root of your marriage problems and begins to address them in a healthy, safe environment.
3. Build Trust & Improve Communication
While couples believe that communication is like a switch, it’s essential to understand you’re constantly communicating with your partner. Whether you verbally address them or ignore them entirely, these two actions communicate a particular message. When you work with a marriage therapist, you can rebuild trust with your spouse and begin speaking healthily.
4. Discuss Marriage Problems On “Neutral” Territory
Marriage problems can feel like you’re fighting a war. While disagreements and heated discussions can occur in marriages, you may find that conflicts with your spouse may not need to result in an all-out war. Building trust and re-establishing communication standards in “neutral” territory in the presence of a marriage therapist can give you and your spouse room to breathe while you talk.
5. Decide To Recommit And Rebuild Your Marriage
Couples may find that seeing a marriage and couples counselor can allow them to address their marriage problems, re-establish communication, build trust, and recommit to their marriage. It can be tough to navigate the complexities of marriage, but you’re not alone.
Are you ready to seek marriage and couples therapy? Give Psych Associates in Springfield a call today to schedule an initial consultation.
Marriage/couples therapy in Springfield helps with a wide range of relational concerns, including communication breakdowns, trust issues, frequent arguments, intimacy problems, conflict over parenting or finances, infidelity, and feeling disconnected. Psych Associates offers approaches like Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and the Gottman Method tailored to address these problems in a localized context.
At Psych Associates in Springfield, couples therapy is designed around evidence-based methods. Some of our therapists specialize in EFT, while others are trained in and use the Gottman Method. Sessions often involve guided discussions, communication exercises, assessments of relational patterns, conflict resolution tools, and strategies for building emotional intimacy and trust.
Some indicators that it may be time for couples therapy include: repeated unresolved conflicts, growing distance or lack of connection, difficulty communicating without arguments, loss of trust, infidelity, sexual problems, or recurring negative patterns that leave both partners feeling unheard or unloved. If these are affecting daily life or emotional wellbeing, couples therapy can offer relief.
The timeline depends on the severity of the issues, how long they’ve been going on, how willing both partners are to engage, and whether there are co-occurring stressors like trauma or mental health difficulties. Many couples begin to notice improvements in communication, conflict handling, or emotional connection within a few sessions to a few months of regular weekly or biweekly therapy.