19 Things Your Marriage Counselor Knows about Your Relationship—but Isn’t Telling You
Updated: Mar. 13, 2023Counselors across the country weigh in on what they are REALLY thinking during couples therapy.
It’s best when you both care
I love couples who fight in the waiting room. At least they still care about each other. If one or both of you seem indifferent, my job is a lot harder.
I know when you’re cheating
When you say your feelings “just aren’t there anymore,” I know you’re probably cheating. Here are 12 subtle signs your spouse may be cheating.
We try to trick you
Sometimes I’ll tell a couple “no sex until the next session. Don’t touch each other, period.” What I’m really hoping is that they’ll fail and feel a sense of unity from their mutual rebellion.
Don’t talk to outsiders
It may make you feel better to talk about your marriage issues with a good friend, but it will just make things worse. Never talk to outsiders about things in your marriage that you haven’t already talked about with your spouse. Here are a few signs that show a marriage won’t last.
I’ll try not to be blunt
I’m not going to tell a couple that I have no idea why they’re together. But take the hint if I say something like, “You both have to make a decision about whether this is going to work long term.” Watch out for the eight secret signs your marriage is headed for divorce.
Sometimes I want to yell at you
What do I wish I could say? “Grow up!” “Stop whining!” “Get a life!” When I feel this way, I know I need a vacation.
We know the signs of failure
Three signs that a couple is not going to succeed: name-calling, finger-pointing, and when one or both partners fail to accept even the tiniest bit of responsibility for the situation.
Men are not mind readers
The big thing most women don’t understand: Men are not mind readers. If you don’t tell him how you feel, he’s not going to know. The big thing most men don’t understand: If you hardly acknowledge your wife all day, she’s not going to want to get intimate with you at night. These are the eight habits of couples with steamy sex lives.
You need to work hard outside of therapy as well
Just showing up every week is not enough. My number one pet peeve is the couple that comes to the session, then leaves and behaves the same way they always have.
