Can Couples Therapy Save Your Marriage after Infidelity?
In a marriage, compromise is common. Over the years, you’ll likely do your best to overlook small mistakes your partner makes. Deciding not to complain about finding a wet towel on the floor or the milk left out keeps things running smoothly in your relationship. Yet bigger issues can bring your marriage to a complete halt. Infidelity tends to be a major dealbreaker in a marriage, but some couples manage to recover their relationships by attending couples therapy that helps them heal.
If you don’t already have a couples therapist, search online for “marriage counseling near me.” San Diego residents should click on the link for Serenity Therapy and Counseling to learn about who we are and the services we provide. Our marriage counseling services aim to rebuild trust and rediscover the love that initially brought you together.
Identify & Address Underlying Issues
Marriage therapists often tell their clients that affairs are a symptom of other issues that are happening within the marriage. In some cases, the affair may occur due to one person’s mental health challenges. Addiction, low self-esteem, loneliness, and other mental health issues could all impact someone’s decisions. Figuring out how and why the infidelity happened gives you a stronger starting point for moving forward.
Find a Safe Space to Vent
Some couples decide to keep the infidelity between them, which could mean you feel like you have no one to turn to when you need to discuss your feelings. Or your family and friends may prefer to stay out of the situation to preserve their relationships with you and your partner. Either way, talking to a counselor gives you a neutral person you can talk to. The counselor can also help you discuss difficult topics with your partner without losing your cool or saying hurtful things.
Work on Individual Mental Health Needs
Couples therapists often work with each person individually. During your marriage therapy, you could discover you have issues you want to address. For instance, you may struggle with PTSD from past traumas. Or you might be dealing with depression and anxiety that manifested in serious symptoms following the news of the affair. Improving your mental health helps you cope no matter what happens with your marriage.
Find Closure if the Marriage Ends
Not every marriage survives infidelity. Even if your marriage needs to end, going to couples therapy isn’t a waste. Learning more about why the infidelity happened and how you react to it can help you avoid long-term emotional challenges as a result. Choosing to end your marriage on a good note can help you in the future if you need to co-parent with your spouse or manage other aspects of planning for your divorce.
Feel Confident about Staying Together
Many people prefer to try to salvage their marriages in the aftermath of affairs. Couples therapy can help you achieve this goal while also helping you feel confident you won’t face this issue again in the future. Working together in therapy helps you grow closer as a couple. With time, patience, and hard work, you can even rebuild your marriage to be stronger than it was before.
Choosing the right therapist is crucial for the success of marriage counseling. San Diego couples can rely on the experienced therapists at Serenity Therapy and Counseling. We’re committed to helping couples navigate various marital challenges. We offer a nonjudgmental environment, ensuring a safe space for open communication. Your privacy is of the utmost importance, and we adhere to strict confidentiality standards. Call us today to learn how we can help.
