Relationship advice: when can it help?

Relationship counseling is still considered by many as a distant or abstract concept, but it can actually be an extremely useful and practical tool when challenges, recurring conflicts, or unspoken distances develop in a relationship. Many people only think about seeking help when things are already bad, but relationship counseling can help to prevent reaching that point.

This article discusses when and why it's worthwhile to participate in relationship counseling, what to expect during the process, and how to choose the right expert.

The article's standpoint is clear: relationship counseling is not a last resort, but a preventive, developmental support that can help deepen the relationship, resolve conflicts, and find a shared future.

• Relationship counseling can be useful not only in crisis situations but also for growth purposes.

• It's worth turning to a professional even with minor, recurring problems.

• The goal of counseling is not to find fault, but to jointly understand how the relationship works.

Common problems in a relationship

It's natural for relationships to encounter difficulties from time to time. Some of these may seem ordinary and small, so they are often not addressed in time by those involved:

• miscommunications;

• differing needs for closeness or intimacy;

• sexual issues;

• tensions related to the distribution of daily burdens;

• drifting apart due to a lack of shared experiences or goals;

• financial question conflicts or decisions;

• differences in views regarding having children or parenting;

• infidelity, betrayal, lies, loss of trust;

• effects of patterns or traumas from family of origin on everyday life.

Many consider these just parts of life and don't think they can be handled – but relationship counseling can actually help with these issues before they lead to deeper alienation.

How can relationship counseling help?

Relationship counseling is a process where a psychologist specialized in relationships and family life helps map out the relationship's workings, recurring snags, and individual needs. Moreover, they aim to find internal resources with the couple that will enable them to resolve internal tensions and find solutions to their various difficulties.

Relationship counseling can be especially helpful if:

• frequent unresolved, repetitive arguments occur;

• one or both parties are dissatisfied but can't quite articulate what's missing—or they can articulate it, but can't resolve it on their own;

• a major life change (e.g., birth of a child, moving, crisis before divorce) is testing the relationship;

• infidelity or loss of trust has occurred, making it difficult to process.

Many don't even realize that counseling can also help them reconnect, better understand each other's workings, and learn how to cooperate in the long term.

How do we know we need relationship counseling?

A relationship doesn't deteriorate overnight. Signs appear gradually, but they are often hard to spot or we simply don't want to see the obvious. These warning signs should be noted:

• More arguments occur that seem to have "no point";

• We have a harder time understanding each other's feelings and are impatient with each other;

• Intimacy or emotional closeness becomes rarer;

• Retreat, avoidance, or passive-aggressive behavior becomes frequent;

• The question arises in one party: "Would it be better without them?"

These signs indicate that the relationship's dynamics have shifted, and it's worth getting an external perspective to see what's possible before irreversible emotional distances and subsequent fatal decisions are made.

What is the most effective form of relationship counseling?

The terms "relationship counseling" and "couple therapy" are often used interchangeably, and that's perfectly fine. If a trained professional guides the process, there's no significant difference between the two from a professional standpoint; they are just different labels.

The difference lies more in the expectations, goals of the client, and the nature of the problem:

• If a couple wants to find a quicker solution to a specific issue, the process may be shorter and more structured – such as a couples communication training being considered counseling;

• If there's a deeper trust breach, emotional injury, or long-term blockage, the process is more exploratory and lasts longer – which fulfills the essence of therapy.

Online or in person?

Both forms can be effective. The advantage of online counseling is flexibility and easier accessibility, while personal presence helps many couples connect more deeply. In terms of effectiveness, there's no difference between the personal and online format; it simply depends on the preferences and life circumstances of the participants to determine which is optimal for them.

As a couple or alone?

Ideally, when it comes to relationship counseling, you participate in the process together. However, it's also worth seeking help even if only one party is open to it – individual consultation can greatly assist in gaining clarity, setting boundaries, articulating desires for change; or clarifying one's role and processing one's own holdups.

How much does relationship counseling cost?

The cost of counseling varies by clinic and professional but generally ranges between 15,000 - 30,000 Forint for a 50-minute session. However, relationship counseling sessions typically last 80-90 minutes, so their pricing is correspondingly higher: couple and family therapy rates range between 30-50 thousand Ft per session. As a general rule, the professional meets with the couple every two weeks.  

At the Tabuk Villája Psychological Center, all specialists work with a publicly accessible price list, and current rates can be found on the profiles of independent psychologists who work with couple therapy.

What happens during a relationship counseling session?

The first session aims for the professional to get to know the couple and vice versa. Everyone introduces themselves and clarifies the framework of the counseling. If mutual chemistry, the essential therapeutic chemistry is felt, and a trusting atmosphere can develop, that's when the real therapeutic work begins.

From session to session, we map out the current state of the relationship, the nature of the snags, and the dynamics of the relationship. Special attention is paid to the presence of suitable motivation, as results can't be achieved without it. The psychologist is not present as a judge, but as a neutral, objective helper: asking, giving feedback, structuring the conversation. In many cases, two psychologists lead the therapeutic process to ensure complete equality on the client and professional sides.

Throughout the process, the following may be addressed:

• communication exercises

• identification of feelings and needs

• processing past injuries

• shaping a shared vision for the future

The methods can vary depending on the couple's situation and the professional's orientation – it can be solution-focused, emotion-focused, or system-oriented.

How to find the best relationship counselor?

Choosing the right professional is crucial. Relationship counseling is truly effective when trust, security, and cooperation are established between the couple and the specialist. Therefore, it's essential to choose a psychologist who is professionally qualified, reliable, and genuinely understands relationships.

It's worth looking for a psychologist:

• who specifically works with relationships, has attended/is attending couple and family therapist training;

• where there's mutual chemistry and trust from the first session;

• works with clear and empathetic communication;

• doesn't take sides, but helps gain a balanced view of how the relationship functions.

At Tabuk Villája, we place special emphasis on collaborating with professionals who:

• have psychology qualifications and experience;

• regularly participate in supervision and professional training;

• are comfortable with relationship dynamics, conflict resolution, and communication issues;

• approach the couple with genuine understanding and empathy without judgment.

Our team includes several psychologists who specialize in relationship counseling and couple therapy, so you can find a helper you can easily work with.

Throughout the process, we do not seek faults but help to reconnect, listen to each other, and find solutions that make the relationship more workable for both parties.

👉 Get to know our experts working with couple therapy here.

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