Couples Therapists Reveal Relationship Red Flags That Could Signal The End Of A Relationship

Therapy used to be a taboo subject. You're not supposed to talk about your mental health issues, and you're not supposed to say that you go to a therapist because people might label you a basket case.

However, people are becoming more open about their mental health struggles and advocating for therapy to be accessible to everyone. We agree; there's no shame in getting the help you need.

Aside from your mental well-being as an individual, it's also important to ensure that your romantic relationship is in a good place. Even when you're not experiencing problems, couples therapy is a great idea.

Think of it as a preventative measure for when you do hit a rough patch. Attending therapy as partners will equip those involved in the relationship with the tools they need to address forthcoming issues.

It will also provide couples with a safe space to air their differences and better understand their significant others. However, it doesn't always work out for everyone.

Some couples treat therapy as the ultimate solution to their problems. They enter a session thinking that all their issues will magically disappear.

This was the topic of discussion in a Reddit forum where therapists were asked about indicators that a relationship is on the rocks and whether these issues are solvable. Boy, did we learn a lot!

Here's the Reddit post that opened our eyes:

Gnerdy

Contempt is defined as regarding another person as beneath you, i.e., looking down on your partner or not respecting them.

threerottenbranches

Apparently, it's a pillar of divorce.

belovetoday

So what does contempt look like in real-life couples?

SnooPaintings9801

"Mean Girls" was a movie truly ahead of its time.

HoseNeighbor

If your significant other bothers you so much that you can't stand the sound of them being alive, then it might be too late.

Funky-Spunkmeyer

Couples who seem to think that their therapist is supposed to pick their side over their partner's.

Hyujikol

But I pay you to validate my feelings and dismiss theirs!

International_Fan448

Just FYI, bad therapists do exist.

circuit_brain

Apparently, it's indicative of controlling behavior when one person objects to or becomes alarmed by the therapist's request to see them individually for assessment.

the_friar

Edited for clarity:

the_friar

They're probably trying to hide something if they're that insistent on shaping the narrative.

CraazzyCatCommander

"Actually, it happened this way..."

Xhelius

This could also be a tactic to silence the other person if it's an abusive relationship.

Destiny89becomesme

Good for this person's mother!

penguinspie

If you use cheating to get back at your partner, then it is absolutely necessary to see a therapist...

lightspeeed

... or a divorce lawyer.

lightspeeed

It should be normalized and could save many couples from going through a messy divorce.

QueerTree

These best friends had better communication skills than most long-term couples. They love each other enough to go to counseling, and it saved their friendship.

lightspeeed

This itemized list of flare signals will help determine if the relationship will sink or sail.

crode080 crode080 crode080 crode080

Couples therapy will sometimes give you the courage to truly express your feelings, wants, and needs.

crode080

When one person thinks they're the main character in the relationship.

ocelot_piss

This hits like a ton of bricks.

OnePoint21JizzaWatts

Changing the "essence" of your significant other. Also, go to therapy individually!

ladyledylidy

Only seeing the bad parts.

TiredMold

Part 2

TiredMold

Instead of owning your own faults, you deflect and list their flaws instead.

BeDazzledBootyHolez

Communicate with your significant other, please, and yelling is not communicating.

BeDazzledBootyHolez

This comment is basically Conflict Resolution 101.

BeDazzledBootyHolez

Really good stuff.

BeDazzledBootyHolez

It's difficult when one party wants to work on the relationship and the other knows it's too late.

ChickenSoup4theRoll

When you argue too much, the relationship probably won't last.

jollybumpkin

There's a reason why old married couples highlight compromise as a foundation of their relationship.

captain_ohagen

In several comments, we've seen therapists recommend the book "Hold Me Tight" by Dr. Sue Johnson. The book explains how couples get into these types of difficult situations and the ways they can resolve them.

A book won't answer all of your questions, and neither will Reddit. But it is very interesting to see what couples go through and how therapists perceive these relationship issues.

Do you know what can be learned from this discussion? Therapy should be made accessible for everyone, so couples can get ahead of problems before they side-swipe them.