Whether you are having problems in your relationship or you would just like to understand your spouse better, talking to a professional marriage counselor can make a real difference. Marriage counseling sessions can also be helpful if you are looking to transition peacefully out of a marital relationship.
Marriage counseling, also known as couples counseling or relationship counseling, involves both partners in a romantic relationship working together with a therapist. This type of therapy can help improve communication skills and self-awareness, boost mental wellness and self-esteem, and foster a deeper emotional connection and mutual understanding between partners.
Although there was once a stigma around relationship counseling, this has significantly decreased in recent years. Many now recognize that even the most loving couples can face challenges, and seeking help is a positive step. You don't have to be married to attend couples therapy in Singapore — many of our clients are not. The only requirements are being in a relationship and having a genuine desire to improve it.
Marraige Counseling
Far from being a death-knell to a relationship, going to counseling with your spouse can be a very positive sign, as it shows focus and willingness to strengthen the marriage. You and your partner may be attending counseling sessions together to learn how to better show your support, care, and love for each other.
Communication problems can lead to hurt emotions and strained relationship dynamics. Often, differences in communication styles play a role. For example, one partner may be naturally less talkative, which can feel like a communication breakdown to the other. Or the partner may feel they lack the skills to honestly express their concerns and needs.
If one or both partners in a relationship is affected by mental health issues - for example, depression, stress, or unresolved childhood trauma - then this will likely also affect their families, jobs, and other aspects of their lives. You may wish to get guidance from a professional therapist on how to support the mental well-being of your partner.
Big life changes can sometimes lead to big conflicts for couples and families. Even positive or exciting life transitions can pose challenges. For example, you and your spouse may find yourselves facing relationship difficulties as you navigate the upheaval of welcoming a child, moving house or country, or starting a new job or business.
Loss of sexual intimacy in a marriage can happen in many different relationship stages, sometimes seemingly without warning. It may also be a source of tension if you have a higher sexual drive than your partner, or vice versa. Both are common concerns that can lead you to seek the services of a professional counselor.
You and your spouse may have different views on subjects such as parenting styles, division of parenting responsibilities, and dealing with demanding in-laws. Sessions with a marriage or family therapist can be a place to engage in constructive communication and improve conflict management skills.
Infidelity is one of the toughest emotional challenges that couples and their families can face. Counseling sessions when a spouse has been unfaithful can be difficult and painful. However, infidelity counselling may help both parties to talk through and heal from the trauma of betrayal, and focus on rebuilding trust and renewing hope for their future together.
You may still care deeply for your partner and their well-being, but no longer feel the same level of romantic love and emotional intimacy that drew you to them at the beginning of your relationship. One or both of you may no longer feel valued by the other spouse, or believe that your relationship has lost meaning.
Things may have deteriorated to the point that you and your spouse hold a negative attitude toward your relationship and/or each other. Yet you may choose to seek out the services of a marriage therapist instead of those of a divorce lawyer, because you hope that with professional support the relationship may be saved.
For most couples, relationship counseling will not require a long-term commitment. The majority of our clients achieve successful outcomes in around twelve weeks of one counseling session per week, and often report significant improvement in the relationship dynamic within the first few sessions.
At your first session, your counselor will ask you and your partner questions about yourselves and your marriage. For instance: where did you meet, how long have you been together, why did you get together, what brought you to seek therapy services, and what are your relationship goals.
The primary focus of this initial couples counseling session is not to assign blame, but to establish a safe and supportive environment for both parties. Your therapist will work together with you and your spouse to create an environment where each person can engage in open communication, process emotions, and work through any areas of concern.
As you attend subsequent therapy sessions, you and your partner will continue to gain insight and understanding into the other's needs, wants, and values. At the end of each session, your counselor may give both you and your spouse some homework exercises to complete before the next session.
Some of the work you will do in relationship therapy may be difficult, scary, or confrontational. For optimal results, you need to be willing to have an open mind, be emotionally focused and engaged during the counseling process, change some of your existing thought and behavioral patterns, and undergo active self-reflection and self improvement. Doing these things is not always easy or comfortable.
However, the hard work you put in is likely to pay off in the form of a stronger and healthier marriage. According to multiple studies, the majority of couples who have attended relationship therapy together are happier for having done so.
Counseling Perspective
Our relationship counsellors are mental health professionals who use evidence-based approaches to support individuals, couples and families through numerous relationship issues and major life challenges. Visit their biography pages to learn more about our couples therapists, or make a booking for you and your significant other today.
Director & Psychologist
Counselor & Psychotherapist
Counselor & Psychotherapist
Psychologist (In Training)
Psychologist
Counselor & Psychotherapist
Find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about marriage counseling in Singapore.
Our couples counselling services range from $200 to $350 SGD per hour, depending on the qualifications and experience of the therapist you choose. Your health insurance may cover the cost of relationship therapy. We recommend to check with your insurance provider before beginning treatment. Marriage counselling is usually a short-term commitment. Most married couples finish their course of relationship counselling within twelve sessions. Sometimes only a few sessions are needed.
Most couples who go to professional counselling find it helpful. According to one study, about 70% of couples who attend marriage counselling experience positive outcomes. Other sources claim higher success rates. For instance, according to the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, more than 75% of clients report improvement in their relationships after attending couples counselling. However, success is dependent on many factors. As with most things, the more that you and your spouse put into the counselling process, the better your outcomes are likely to be.
As mentioned above, studies and statistics show that marital counselling has positive outcomes for most relationships. Counselling can help couples to solve relationship problems, overcome communication difficulties, resolve long-standing conflicts, create healthier interaction patterns, learn stress coping mechanisms, and re-connect with their partners. However, there are no silver bullets or guarantees. Sometimes, the relationship is too far gone for intervention to have any meaningful effect. And sometimes, people change. In such cases, counsellors can help partners work toward successful conflict resolution and an amicable winding down of the marriage. The aim during these sessions is to avoid introducing further trauma and anger, and instead focus on healing, forgiveness, and closure.
To get the most out of couples therapy services, it's best to go in prepared. Before going into the marital therapy room, we recommend that each partner spends some time thinking about what you want to achieve from going to professional counselling. Picture what your ideal future life will look like, free from the relationship challenges you're currently experiencing. If possible, set relationship goals together with your spouse, so you are aligned in purpose before counselling begins. Create a list of questions you want to ask your spouse while you are in session together, and be ready to answer any questions you are asked honestly.
In some circumstances, you and/or your partner may benefit from other types of counselling, instead of or in addition to marriage counselling services. Your therapist may make recommendations on a case by case basis. Or if you are interested in our other services such as individual therapy or family counselling (group therapy with another family member), please ask your counsellor if they may be right for your situation.
Director & Psychologist
Counselor & Psychotherapist
Counselor & Psychotherapist
Counseling Perspective is a center of psychology and counseling services, serving both Singapore citizen and expat clients. We have three convenient physical locations for marriage counselling in Singapore.
9 Raffles Place
Republic Plaza I, 9th Floor
Singapore 048619
87 Science Park Drive
#03-01 The Oasis
Singapore 118260
291 Joo Chiat Road
#05-02 Singapore
427543
IIf you prefer not to or are unable to visit a counselling centre in person, we also offer online therapy. Through this service, marriage partners can attend online counselling sessions from the privacy and comfort of home via the video conferencing platform of their choice (FaceTime, Skype, Zoom, etc.).
To make an appointment,
Call/WhatsApp us on +65 9853-7253, email us at admin@counselingperspective.com, or book online to get instant confirmation.
Counseling Perspective is a center for counseling in Singapore. We offer an integrated approach to therapy using techniques and tools tailored specifically to our clients and the issues they face. We help clients so that they can feel empowered to make healthy decisions themselves. We work with adults, kids, couples, and families.
OUR COUNSELING CENTER LOCATIONS:
Counseling Perspective at Raffles Place
9 Raffles Place
Republic Plaza I, 9th Floor
Singapore 048619
Counseling Perspective at Oasis
87 Science Park Drive
#03-01 The Oasis
Singapore 118260
Counseling Perspective at Joo Chiat
291 Joo Chiat Road #05-02
Singapore 427543
Call/Whatsapp:
+65 9853 7253 or
+65 9636 8060
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