Convincing Your Partner to Attend Counseling

Dec 11, 2019

When deciding whether to start couples counseling, it may be difficult to convince your partner. If you and your partner are having communication issues, seeking outside help can be the best decision. If your partner believes your relationship is good and no help is needed it will be hard to convince them otherwise, but not impossible.

Go Alone

If your partner doesn't want to attend couples counseling, go alone. Going alone can give you an outlet to discuss the problems and receive advice that will help change your partner's mindset on counseling. Going on your own will help you change the areas you struggle with and in doing so will help your partner see the benefits.

Continue to Voice Your Opinion

Respectfully, voice your desire to go to counseling and explain why. Bring up specific examples where you both did not communicate effectively. Once you start attending alone, talk to your partner about what you learned. This will plant the seed in hopes that they will change their mind.

Listen

Listening to your partner's concerns is imperative in hopes to convince them to go. Jumping to conclusions or immediately getting frustrated will push them farther away from the idea. Be curious in why they don't want to try it and know enough about the process to put their mind at ease.

Don't Point Fingers

Pointing fingers at your partner will only hurt your chances of attending counseling together. Whether your partner is insecure about discussing your relationship or doesn't believe it will help, it is imperative to not blame them. Try to explain to them that counseling is a safe place to discuss the problems and how it will help no matter how small the problems may seem.

It may be a long process in convincing your partner of the benefits of counseling. Don't give up and don't become angry with them. Continue going alone until they are ready. To learn more about our services, please contact us.