Couple's Life Transitions

Learning How to Embrace a New Life Transition

All big decisions result in change. At an individual level, change can be uncomfortable, stressful, depressing, and create a certain level of uncertainty. For couples, change, or transitions in life can be even more challenging. Changes can quickly alter the dynamic of a couple and create a significant amount of tension between the dyad. While not all change is negative, the resulting changes could create anxiety, feelings of isolation, undue pressure, or even lead the couple to struggle in their ability to communicate. When emotions get triggered, we reduce our ability to rationalize, make sound decisions or even loving decisions for that matter. 

 

Relationships have at least historically followed and advanced through familiar paths. This may include an early phase of dating, which in itself carries a number of sub-stages including a meeting phase, a getting to know phase, emotional or physical phases, and perhaps a break-up phase. Eventually a couple may decide to get a bit more serious, move-in together or perhaps even contemplate a larger commitment such as an engagement which may have numerous phases as well, followed by a marriage or formal union. This can then include a number of meaningful and important decisions which may not be easily seen or considered during the earlier period of a relationship. In couples therapy, some of these elements are explored so that individuals can safely address their concerns and learn how to talk about topics which do hold importance.