What’s the true cost of not getting counselling support to save your marriage?

No matter what the reason your marriage is breaking down; trust issues; lack of intimacy; finance or values/goals no longer aligning; or you’re simply growing apart. Ignoring the signs that your relationship needs some external support can not only impact your marriage longevity, your kindness and respect towards one another, but also your own mental health, finances, and family life. Especially if there’s children involved.

Here’s why investing time in saving your marriage could be one of the best decisions you make.

1. The Financial Impact of a Marriage Breakdown – Choosing not to seek help can come with a high financial cost.
   • Legal fees and divorce costs: Separation and divorce can be financially draining, with legal fees easily reaching tens of thousands.
   • Division of assets: From property to savings, dividing your assets is not only emotionally taxing but also financially impactful.
   • Ongoing costs: Alimony, child support, and the cost of maintaining separate households can burden both partners for years.
2. Emotional and Psychological Toll of Not Saving Your Marriage – The emotional cost of a relationship breakdown often outweighs the financial impact.
   • Mental health implications: Stress, anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem are common after a separation, especially if counselling could have helped prevent it.
   • Grief and loss: Divorce is akin to a grieving process, and individuals often report feeling a profound sense of loss.
   • Impact on self-worth: Failing to save your marriage can erode confidence and lead to self-doubt, affecting personal growth and resilience.

How Counselling Supports Emotional Resilience

Investing in counselling for saving your marriage doesn’t just support the relationship – it builds individual resilience.

• Develops emotional intelligence: Counselling can improve communication, empathy, and emotional awareness.
• Strengthens self-awareness: Couples therapy often involves personal growth, which benefits both partners. And if you start the therapy process sooner rather than later, it takes effect rapidly, and can often aid in getting your relationship back on track. Leaving it until too late is what often happens.

The Ripple Effect on Children and Family

Children often bear the indirect cost of unresolved marital issues.

• Emotional and behavioural challenges: Kids may experience anxiety, behavioural issues, or academic struggles due to family instability.
• Impact on relationships: A strained or broken marriage can affect how children perceive relationships, influencing their future romantic connections.
• Shared custody: Children adjust to moving between two households, which can be unsettling and affect their sense of security.

By saving your marriage, you’re giving your children a sense of stability and security. You’re showing them that keeping the family together and thriving is important.

1. Positive role models: Seeing their parents work through challenges teaches kids about resilience and problem-solving.
2. Stronger family connections: A healthy relationship with both parents fosters a

Divorce or separation can create lasting fears and insecurities in future relationships.

1. Avoidance of intimacy: Many people avoid deep relationships to prevent experiencing the same pain again.
2. Trust issues: Relationship breakdowns can foster distrust, which may impact future partnerships.
3. Impact on life satisfaction: Happiness levels often dip after divorce, and many report a sense of regret for not trying harder.

Why Investing in Counselling to Save Your Marriage is Worth It

Choosing counselling is an investment in both your future and your marriage.

• Strengthens communication: Counselling provides tools for effective communication, preventing misunderstandings and fostering connection.
• Rekindles intimacy: Addressing issues directly allows couples to rediscover the connection that brought them together.
• Promotes a healthy partnership: Counselling encourages mutual respect, fostering a balanced and fulfilling relationship.

The cost of NOT seeking help for your marriage is steep – financially, emotionally, and socially. By investing in counselling, you’re not only saving your marriage but also enhancing your mental well-being, securing your family’s stability, and creating a brighter future.

Your marriage deserves the chance to thrive. So are you ready to fight to save your relationship? Reach out to our couples therapists to navigate these challenges today.

_{Written by Rebecca Deane – Clinical Psychologist – www.creatingchange.net.au
Psychology support in the Hills District, Western Sydney & Surrounds (including Rouse Hill, Bella Vista, Glenwood, Castle Hill, Kellyville, The Hawkesbury, Penrith Nepean, Blacktown, Epping, Ryde, Pennant Hills areas and surrounds)}