Mistakes are common occurrences in the lives of married couples. Forgetting to take out the trash, missing an important bill, tracking mud in the house...we have all been there. Mistakes are made, lessons are learned, and couples are able to move forward when there is obvious and easy alignment in their relationships. But what happens when life does not run so smoothly?

Sometimes, when children come into the picture and challenge an idealized vision of family life, or a partner’s health suffers, or an aging parent struggles, marriage partners struggle too. Common values we took for granted are tested and the tolerance for even the simplest of mistakes is tested, exacerbating every challenge that comes your way. Troubles in life can even cause a partner to make a mistake or a misjudgment so significant that it is not possible for the couple to repair it without help.

At JFCS, our Mental Health Department is dedicated to helping couples in this situation by achieving three core goals: 1) Improving communication, 2) Reinstating trust, and 3) Highlighting each other's strengths. When mistakes create blame, communication suffers, trust is severed, and negativity blankets your entire relationship. Our therapists work with each couple to first repair their broken communication. Being able to express your feelings openly and honestly is the first step in bringing trust and optimism back between partners. Mistakes cannot be eradicated from a relationship, but skills can be learned to help mitigate the roadblocks that mistakes can create between couples.

If this sounds like a situation you have been in, or you know someone experiencing this type of discord, you are not alone. At JFCS, we understand the private and sensitive nature of conversations between partners, and we are here to honor those relationships and help you move forward.