Relationships can be rewarding and challenging experiences.  Couples experience the joys of romance early in their relationship – the “Honeymoon Period”.  Your partner consumes your thoughts.  You can’t get enough of them and everything they do is fascinating.  During the honeymoon period they are infallible – nothing they do is wrong.  However, what happens when the honeymoon is over? You begin to see a fuller picture of your partner – the good, the bad, and the ugly.   As you learn more about your partner it’s important to be aware of the problems that can arise. Acknowledging the problems allows you to work through them and grow stronger as a couple.  There are four common problems that a new couple faces.  
 

• The chronic, ongoing conflict around issues from the past 
  • You find yourselves rehashing previous fights or annoyances.

• The no obvious problem, but ongoing feeling of tension 
  • You just don’t feel in sync.  You find it hard to talk with your partner and fail to be moved like you once were when you’re with them.

• The other issue problem: 
  • One or both partners might be replicating behavior from their family of origin or previous relationships.
  • It’s called baggage for a reason.  We all come into relationships having learned certain ways of acting.  It can be tough to unlearn these habits even when they cause difficulties in the relationship.

• Problems balancing family loyalties:
  • Pattern 1: a rigid alliance of one partner with his/her family of origin against the other partner 
  • Pattern 2: conflict between partners, and both are closely allied with their own families
  • Pattern 3: couple is submissive/irresponsible and parents (one or both sets) control major responsibilities in couples’ daily lives
  • Pattern 4: one or both partners “cuts off” family of origin

• Problems balancing the relationship with life
  • Once the honeymoon wears off, it sometimes can be hard to re-establish balancing the things you loved doing as a single man/woman with your relationship and your partner's needs

Allowed to go unchecked, any of these problems can diminish a couple’s potential for happiness.  At Equilibria Psychological and Consultation Services, we have experienced therapists that work with couples and individuals to aid in clarifying and exploring relationship problems, ultimately leading to a healthier and more satisfying relationship.  If you would like to find out more about our services, please do not hesitate to contact us at 267-861-3685.