There is no such thing as a perfect couple. But how do you know if your squabbles and disagreements are minor problems or major issues? Start by looking for one of these five signs that you and your partner need couples therapy:

• You Fight about the Same Things Repeatedly: All couples fight. But most find some resolution and move on. If you and your partner fight about the same things over and over again, it reveals a problem that you can’t move past. Going to couples therapy can help you explore the root causes of this issue and reach a mutual resolution.
• You Refuse Talk: If either partner in a relationship knows that there is a problem but refuses to talk about it, couples therapy is something to consider. There is clearly an issue in your relationship that one or more parties are trying to avoid. Working with a professional can help you face the truth and express your honest feelings.
• You Avoid Intimacy: Sex is a fundamental part of any relationship. Sometimes you have more or less, but if you forego intimacy entirely, it indicates a serious rift in your relationship. A healthy sex life is a sign of a healthy emotional life. Couples therapy can help both partners address the problems that keep you from getting close.
• You Get Mean: It is possible to fight without getting mean and nasty. If your arguments have turned into harsh criticisms of each other’s faults and failures, you’re not fighting in a healthy way. Rather than talking about true problems you’re focusing on petty, irrelevant details. Couples therapy can help you explore the real issues in your relationship in a way that is honest and respectful.
• You Feel Stuck: There is a natural ebb and flow to all relationships. But if you feel like you and your partner are simply going through the motions, it can cause you to questions why you’re together at all. Couples therapy can help you to determine if your relationship has a future or has already reached its end.

Remember that problems in a relationship rarely go away on their own. The only way to restore peace, harmony, and fulfillment it to confront your problems directly. If you and your partner could benefit from couples therapy, call Gateway Counseling Center at 561-468-6464.