A lot of people who seek out relationship therapy in Houston are trying to prevent a divorce. Does that sound like bad news to you? It’s not.

Having your spouse tell you that they want a divorce is probably one of the worst things that anyone can ever experience, but the fact that so many people are seeking out the marriage help you can receive in therapy should tell you that it doesn’t have to be the end. In fact, there are several things that you can do to try to keep the divorce from happening.

Avoid Divorce by Using These Tips from Relationship Therapy in Houston

Your husband or wife has just told you that they want a divorce? What’s your response? You may want to cry, yell, or insult your spouse, but hopefully the rational you knows that those are the wrong ways to react. So, what should you do?

Pay attention. If your spouse is saying they want a divorce, there has to be a reason. Letting your emotions get the better of you will prevent you from listening to them and really hearing what they are saying because you’ll be focused on your own reaction. It may not be easy, but you have to try to avoid getting defensive and closing yourself off or attacking them, or falling apart so that your only reaction is to beg them to stay. All those reactions do is make it about you, but you need them to see that you’re paying attention to their needs.

Look beneath the surface. Most people don’t ask for a divorce lightly, but that doesn’t mean that your spouse will be completely forthcoming either, because they means they have to be vulnerable at a time when they are probably trying to be strong. It’s up to you to look for that vulnerability and be compassionate about it. This, more than anything, can make the difference between a couple that ends up going their separate ways and one that actively tries to stay together.

Stop accepting your flaws. Are you the type of person who “tries” but mostly thinks that this is who you are and your spouse has to accept it? Get over it. If you can’t do it on your own, get marriage help by working on your problems by attending relationship therapy in Houston. We all have the ability to get better, but we have to work hard on changing ourselves every day.

Go to therapy. Marriage counseling has saved thousands of marriages, and it can save yours, too. But it will only be successful if both of you are willing to put in the work at relationship therapy in Houston.