Have you and your spouse been experiencing any of the following?

• Low levels of satisfaction within the marriage
• Consistent miscommunication or arguing that makes you want to give up
• Lack of emotional connection and intimacy
• Little to no sex or affection with one another
• Feeling distant or like you have grown apart

If you are experiencing the struggles above, it is likely that you and your spouse have thought about or discussed the possibility of divorce. This possibility can be extremely painful and make you question how a relationship once filled with love and friendship has dissolved into one of distance and contempt. It is common over time to become distracted by children, careers, and other life events that hinder the romantic connection in your marriage. While dating, you and your partner put effort into quality time together, intimacy, and getting to know one another, however, years of marriage can cause you to become complacent or less likely to pursue activities that bring you together. This occurrence might be common, but it does not have to be the end of your marriage.

What does divorce prevention look like?

It might feel like a lost cause to try to mend a broken marriage, but you do not have to do it alone. A therapist can help you determine if you and your spouse are committed to working towards a healthier, more connected and satisfied relationship. Once your level of commitment is determined, your therapist can help you identify problem areas in your marriage such as lack of communication, sexual dissatisfaction, escalated conflict, and emotional disconnection. Your therapist will explore the history of your relationship along with the origins of your biggest problem areas to help you understand the root causes of your marital struggles. By understanding your problem areas in depth, you and your spouse can better understand one another’s hurts, as well as identify specific needs of each partner. As you explore past emotional hurts and identify core needs, you and your partner can begin to repair the connection.

What if divorce prevention therapy does not improve the marriage?

It is important to note that divorce prevention requires full commitment to therapy and the relationship. Issues that have been building for years will not be solved in a matter of weeks. It is likely that once issues are brought to light, things might feel worse before they feel better. This is a common experience in therapy and should not be discouraging. Divorce prevention and relationship repair can be a difficult process, however, this process can create beautiful and life changing results. Our therapists are committed to assisting you and honoring your journey. If you and your partner decide that divorce is the best option for you, we will provide a safe space to discuss how to proceed in a way that feels safest and most fitting for each partner.