Points To Consider When Choosing A Dallas Marriage Counselor

By Leslie Ball


Choosing the right marriage counselor can make a big difference in whether or not a couple will be able to successfully mend their fences and progress forward in their relationship. Besides training and experience, there are also other factors to consider when searching for the best therapist. In order to improve one's chances of finding the Dallas marriage counselor who will be a good fit, it's a good idea to compare several.

It is critical that both partners feel at ease with the person who will be counseling them. Sometimes the gender of the therapist can influence how well a particular couple will relate to them and feel comfortable opening up to them. Many people can do well being counseled by either a man or woman, but in other cases, they may do better with one over the other.

Optimism is a powerful force, and it plays an integral role in successful therapy for couples who are dealing with marital issues. The therapist should consistently demonstrate an attitude which expresses confidence in the couple's future and ability to overcome their differences. He or she should possess a wide range of approaches that can be used to help clients put the romance back in their relationship and persevere in spite of frustration.

Successful therapy depends largely on excellent communication between the counselor and the couple. The therapist can only help if he or she is made aware of what the key concerns are, and this is up to the clients themselves. Both partners need to feel free to be candid about all issues in the marriage with this person, and the counselor must be non-judgmental, and provide a balance of listening and speaking.

Another significant aspect of an effective marriage counseling program is to have a clearly established set of objectives and a plan of how to achieve them. The therapist and his or her clients need to be on the same page in this respect, so it is necessary to discuss these goals during the first or second session, so a strategy can be devised for making them a reality.

Not all clients will be concerned about the cost of attending marriage therapy, but those with limited finances most likely will. Many counselors are aware of the fact that not everyone can afford to pay high fees for this service, and in light of this they may agree to accept any reasonable amount or tailor the fees to fit the client's income. Some health insurance plans may also cover this expense.

Personality compatibility between therapist and clients is also something which must be present. He or she should typically be flexible enough to both take the lead or allow the clients to do so when appropriate and should be able to relate to the couple and where they are coming from. A good personal rapport between both partners and the counselor can go a long way and it should be apparent from the beginning.

Since scheduling needs of different clients can vary considerably depending on their work and personal obligations, the counselor must acknowledge this and offer a fair deal of flexibility for session times. He or she should also be able to accurately recommend the most suitable session frequency and length for each couple, since this can have a considerable impact on the success of the counseling overall.




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