Christian Couples Counseling

Los Angeles Christian Counseling provides couples with a place where the needs and concerns of each partner can be addressed in a safe and compassionate environment. By placing focus on the relationship as a whole as well as the individual perspectives of both people, we begin to evolve and strengthen their weak areas both as individuals and together.

Our God created us to connect with others, at the same time we are also at times pulled astray by temptations that prevent us from the things we could have with Christ. As we lean on the knowledge, teachings, and guidance of Jesus, we can build a relationship as designed by God – one composed of compassion, dedication and love.

Thinking of quitting? Signs you may need counseling

Knowing when the right time for counseling is is difficult. It is different from being sick or ill and knowing when to visit a doctor because the signs are not so cut and dry. All too often, couples will try on their own for years before seeking guidance, and sadly many call it quits before trying Christian couples counseling. Know that if your relationship begins to struggle, Los Angeles Christian Counseling is here to help with issues such as:

Communication problems – Most of us have gone through it before, yet negative communication is one of the most difficult relationship problems couples go through. This includes conversations that make you feel angry, unheard, depressed or make you want to hide from the other person altogether to prevent further problems. But remember that bad communication and lack of communication both have the potential to be really harmful to any relationship, especially when one partner feels like he or she is not getting positive rewards for putting effort into communication.

Her: “I truly feel like there’s a wall between us. Even if he does respond, he doesn’t seem to hear what I’m really trying to say. We just end up fighting and the cycle continues.”

Him: “It’s always the same with her. No matter what I say, nothing is ever good enough for her.”

Infidelity – Problems with infidelity are best handled promptly, regardless whether it was one or both partners, or even if it has only been considered. Infidelity is not a deal breaker and bonds can be repaired if handled swiftly.

Him: “There’s no interest for her anymore. I don’t want to push her into doing things she doesn’t want to do, so sometimes I consider looking elsewhere.”

Her: “Something has been off. It’s hard for me to get in the mood when he wants to and things just aren’t the way they used to be when we were first together.”

Lacking emotional intimacy – A lot of relationship problems can stem from the first seeds of feeling like you’re in the relationship alone. Many couples in Christian couples counseling will say that they feel adrift from one another and no longer emotionally connected. This makes communication difficult, which inevitably leads to an increase in conflict that may create infidelity over time.

Her: “He’s never there for me even when we’re in the same room. This isolation is exhausting.”

Him: “She gives me the cold shoulder. I don’t know what’s wrong with her and I’m tired of feeling like it’s my fault.”

Unresolved conflict – Repeated conflicts over the same things over and over leads to exhaustion. Often what is needed is an unbiased, third-party perspective to work towards solving the underlying issue.

Him: “Nothing I do makes it better. I wish there was a solution.”

Her: “I try to forget, but it seems impossible for us to get past this.”

Destructive behaviors – When people have negative or painful emotions that they’re holding onto, they often engage in negative behaviors that strain their relationships. It is possible the person is not even aware of what they are doing and without realizing it, the negative behavior becomes routine.

Her: “He has such a short fuse these days. It’s exhausting having to make sure I don’t light it.”

Him: “It’s as if she likes to push my buttons. It feels as though she wants to prove that I can’t do anything right.”

Relationship problems like these can leave anyone feeling exhausted and hopeless. Prior to calling it quits, give Christian couples counseling a try. We have borne witness to the awesome power of Jesus as he forges anew even the most shattered of relationships. Los Angeles Christian Counseling is here to help you whether your struggles seem big or small.

There are people who feel that Christian couples counseling might make things worse and are therefore reluctant to even try. A WebMD.com article states, “Studies show that, in the hands of a good counselor, marriage counseling is successful 70-80% of the time.” A qualified counselor is a path to success. At Los Angeles Christian Counseling, our team offers tried and true Christian couples counseling that has a high rate of success.

Benefits of Attending Christian Couples Counseling in LA

 
Most who enter Christian couples counseling have the same goals. The problems that these couples face haven’t been problems that could be solved by themselves. Through this profound Christian couples counseling, you’ll be able to:

• Change your perspective of your relationship issues – Most people blame the other partner when there are problems in their relationship. An unbiased counselor is trained to teach you ways to view things more objectively instead of automatically searching for who is to blame. Even though accountability is a cornerstone for healthy relationships, it is also crucial to understand how a single situation can affect each person in the relationship, regardless of what the story is from each person’s perspective.
• Stop destructive behavior – One main goal of Christian couples counseling is to change behaviors that negatively impact a relationship. Each partner will learn what they need to change their behavior in order to build a healthy relationship that resolves conflict effectively. Your counselor might recommend more counseling upon discovery of any physical, psychological, or financial issues.
• Improve communication – Each person in the relationship will not only learn ways to express his or her needs and concerns in an effective way but also how to listen to one another. Expressing yourself without belittling your partner or employing other modes of negative communication will prevent increasing conflicts and build practical solutions.
• Handle emotional barriers – Those who seek Christian counseling for couples often feel an emotional disconnect with their partner. Counseling provides a way to learn to face these issues head-on, even for those who struggle expressing their emotions or put up walls because of previous emotional baggage.
• Identify your strengths and build on them – When trapped in a cycle where you only focus on the negative, it is difficult to see the positives in any relationship. Christian couples counseling will give you the tools to recognize the positive and build on it to strengthen the relationship and gain more happiness.

A diverse range of counseling methods are offered at Los Angeles Christian Counseling to meet the various needs of clients. Through Christ, we are ready to meet whatever struggles you and your partner might be facing.

It is not uncommon if you find that you and/or your partner are hesitant about Christian couples counseling.

It can be scary to even think about sharing the intimate details of your relationship. Knowing what you can expect to see in couples counseling can help you mentally prepare and feel less afraid of the unknown.

Techniques of Christian Counseling for Couples in LA

Our Christian couples counselors have a variety of tools at their disposal to evaluate your relationship and decide which technique would be most effective in helping you both find success. These are the most common techniques our couples counselors use:

• Gottman Method – By mapping fears, hopes, stresses, history and joy, this method teaches you how to create “love maps” in order to achieve a better understanding of one another.
• Crucible Approach Couples Counseling – This method reveals problem areas that get in the way of intimacy and comes up with solutions that may otherwise not have been thought of. It takes a close look at strengthening sexual intimacy. By helping each other learn, grow and mature within yourselves, you will know how to overcome the variety of issues you may face.
• Emotionally-Focused Couples Therapy – This method has three primary goals and gives you a short-term aid for long-term results. Both spouses will look at and change any of their harmful behaviors in the relationship. Then they will work together to strengthen their bond with each other. Thirdly, both spouses will learn what they need to do within their relationship in order to have healthy interactions without negative responses.
• Narrative Therapy – By learning to express your concerns freely in an objective way through a narrative approach, it creates a distinction between the person and the problem. Negative parts of one’s story can be rewritten. It gives each spouse a fresh perspective that will not define someone by the poor decisions he or she has made.
• Psychodynamic Approach – At times we are not aware of what effects childhood trauma may be having on our current adult relationships. Irrational patterns made today can be mended by identifying subconscious problems from the past.

You might be surprised at how often “How to fix a relationship” is searched on Google. While many, many people are struggling with relationship problems, it can still be quite the challenge to find reliable help. Many become overwhelmed when bombarded by self-help magazines and books, counseling professionals and internet articles that all promise to have the right solution for them. What makes Los Angeles Christian Counseling different?

• Faith-based approach – Our practice is built on faith in the healing power of God and God’s Word. We encourage our clients to lean on their values as they integrate them into their counseling and use them as a source of support, strength,and guidance. Using proven, evidence-based therapy methods sustained healing and growth is found by giving you the tools you need to strengthen your relationship with Christ.
• Experience you can trust – Los Angeles Christian Counseling has some of California’s best family and marriage therapists. With their combined experience and thorough training with a variety of techniques and methods, the right counselor that suits your personal needs is sure to be found here.
• Risk-free first session – Our years of experience has proven just how important it is that we find the right Christian counselor for each individual and couple. This is the reason we offer clients a risk-free initial session to put your concerns at ease and find the solutions you need.

If you are looking for your relationship to have a true fighting chance, we can help. At Los Angeles Christian Counseling, each partner is giving the non-judgmental, safe space they need for proper self-reflection and expression that brings self-awareness, true change, new beginnings, and healing.

Does couples counseling work?

Christian counseling for couples has proven to give couples the knowledge they lacked for forming happy, healthy relationships. Many studies have proven that couples counseling has been on average, 90% effective for couples.

Will insurance cover Christian couples counseling?

Los Angeles Christian Counseling will work with many different health insurance providers; however, insurance contracts may vary. Feel free to give us a call if you have any questions about your options for payment. Your insurance provider will likely have the most information for you regarding what they will and will not cover.

How do I find the right Christian counselor?

It is extremely important to find the right Christian counselor for you and your partner. We have counselor profiles for you to browse through to find the right family and marriage therapist that you will feel comfortable with.

Is it okay if my partner won’t join me for counseling?

Of course, it would be ideal to have both partners available for couples counseling, but we do still offer individual Christian counseling to those struggling with relationship problems.

Now’s the time to start fresh with Christian couples counseling. Contact us today!

To learn more about couples counseling, or to schedule an appointment with Los Angeles Christian Counseling, you may contact us online or by phone at 949-386-7182.