Don’t neglect your relationship with your spouse and the kids – take time to work on them, and seek help when the going gets tough.
Don’t neglect your relationship with your spouse and the kids – take time to work on them, and seek help when the going gets tough.
WHEN FAMILY TIES ARE STRAINED
In an ideal world, family members would get along brilliantly and communicate effectively. But life brings stressors which can create con icts and a loss of trust, leading to relationship breakdowns.
Jasmine Siang, a psychotherapist with a doctorate in clinical psychology, from Heart-to-Heart Psychotherapy, says a marriage can become strained under stressful circumstances. These include illness, nancial dif culties, in delity, and mental health issues like anxiety and depression. When these stressors creep into a couple’s life and remain unaddressed, they can cause resentment and contempt. This may result in routine con ict, emotional distance, sexual intimacy issues, and mistrust.
Children who witness the con ict between their parents may be affected emotionally – becoming withdrawn or aggressive, misbehaving or turning to bad habits to cope with the situation at home.
SOLVING PROBLEMS WITH PSYCHOTHERAPY
Psychotherapy, or counselling, is the process of meeting a professional therapist to resolve issues to improve your relationships. It is
meant to help you and your partner or your child understand emotions,
resolve painful feelings, change hurtful behaviour or manage con icts.
It is important to get to the heart of what causes the problems in the
rst place, and tackle these issues individually, says Jasmine.
COUNSELLING STRATEGIES
Counselling can be done individually, with your spouse, or as a family, and sessions are always con dential. Couples’ therapy is designed to help you and your partner develop better communication skills, enhance intimacy, or learn to navigate new terrain in your lives. In some cases, the therapist can also help to mediate and resolve arguments. Family therapy can help you understand your kids’ behaviour, become a better parent, and improve the bond between you and your children.
MAKING IT WORK
During the sessions, you will work with the therapist on an approach to best address your needs. This also includes setting goals and establishing steps to iron out issues.
For psychotherapy to signi cantly help a relationship, the parties have to commit to the sessions, explains Jasmine. Each partner should demonstrate honesty, an interest in making the relationship work, and a willingness to accept personal accountability, to achieve a more ful lling and lasting relationship.
Happy FamiliesDon’t neglect your relationship with your spouse and the kids – take time to work on them, and seek help when the going gets tough.
Does Your Marriage Need Therapy?
If your marriage is facing the following challenges, couples’ or family therapy can help.
• You are depressed but find it hard to confide in your spouse.
• You suspect that your spouse is having an affair, but you do not know how to confront him.
• Arguments with your spouse are getting more frequent.
• Your spouse has just quit his job and is morose and uncommunicative.
• You and your partner are not sure if you want to continue the relationship.
To make an appointment, call or SMS Heart-to-Heart Psychotherapy (#09-19 The Central, Soho 1) at 9792-2290 or visit www.hearttoheart.sg for more information.
