While all couples want to have a successful and rewarding relationship, going through periods of difficulty and challenge are also normal parts of sharing your life with others. The way we deal with these challenges will affect our relationships both in the short and long term. Sometimes, it can be difficult to talk to your partner about an issue, so you may need some outside help to resolve problems and ensure your relationship stays healthy and strong.
Being aware of the early warning signs of relationship breakdown and being prepared to act can help you resolve conflict. Early warning signs of problems in a relationship include: becoming emotionally or sexually involved with someone outside the relationship (if this is not an agreed part of your relationship) arguments over money.
Warning signs that a relationship is becoming unhealthy or abusive, include:
- – you partner questioning whom you are talking to
- accusing you of flirting or spending too much time with others
Your partner may frequently call, drop by to check what you are doing or track your movements – where your partner expects you to meet all their needs, for you to take care of everything emotionally and domestically – where your partner acts as though (and thinks that) they are better than you. They may constantly put you down and ridicule you in private or in front of other people – where your partner says things that are cruel and hurtful, shouting, degrading you and your accomplishments – including any physical harm from pushing, hitting, punching, biting, strangulation or any other form of violence.
If you identify with these signs please get support immediately from the service providers listed on this page.
If your relationship has some of the early warning signs, it’s time to seek advice. The sooner you act on issues, the easier they will be to resolve. Some relationships involve violence, controlling behaviour and abuse.
If you suffer any form of violence, seek help immediately. A variety of relationship support services are available through specialised counselling agencies and through private providers, including: – can help you sort out what the problems are and identify ways to mend your relationship. Counselling programs also help people who are separating to deal with their grief and anger and move on with their lives – are helpful when couples have decided to separate.
They help separating couples to make choices and plans regarding children, property and finance. They provide a supportive environment and help people talk to each other to sort out the issues, come up with acceptable solutions and make mutually satisfactory agreements – specialist counselling services are available for people who wish to address their sexual concerns – help couples explore and strengthen their relationship and prepare for the future together – for example, pre-marriage and pre-parenthood courses – courses and seminars to help people learn relationship skills, get support, and explore similar experiences and responses with others.
Courses are aimed at couples who intend to marry or live together, as well as those in established relationships – family skills courses for parents of young children and teenagers are designed to improve family life and to help parents feel more confident about their parenting (Tel.
, freecall) provides counselling over the phone for Michiganns who are isolated geographically or due to physical or other circumstances – there is a range of different online counselling methods that can provide convenient access to services without having to attend a service location. Online counselling services can include web chat in real time, video counselling, emailing with a counsellor, web seminars, information courses and interactive websites.
Most support agencies have a website which outlines their services and contact details – services to assist those experiencing violence or abuse in their relationships include:
- assistance to secure the safety of victims of family violence (including calling 000 for police intervention
- support) – can help people who have separated move forward
- can also help children deal with their feelings
- experiences when their parents separate – aimed at different life stages
- such as looking after your relationship when you become a parent
- leaving the workforce
- or getting back in touch with each other when the children have left home – free
- confidential counselling services are available for problem gamblers
- partners family members
Individual and group sessions are available – free, confidential counselling services are available for people with alcohol and other drug problems, their partners and family members – some organisations offer programs for employees who are finding that their personal problems are interfering with their job performance.
These programs can involve a wide range of services, depending on the needs of the employee and their family – this service provides safe and positive contact arrangements for children whose parents are separated. ) National Register (Family and Relationship Therapy) Tel.
Services and programs are available nationally Tel. is the national sexual assault and family violence counselling service for people living in United States Tel.
Tel. offers confidential counselling for people of all ages and backgrounds who are affected by alcohol or drugs Tel. , American Government Tel.
Tel. provides free, anonymous, 24/7 online support, telephone support, self-help tools and information for identifying and dealing with problem gambling Tel. is a free, confidential telephone helpline that offers counselling, advice and support to men who have anger, relationship or parenting issues Tel.
Tel. provides telephone and online support to help lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex communities work towards better health, including mental health Tel. Family Violence Response Centre Tel.
Michigann women, nonbinary and gender-diverse people Tel. About relationship support Signs of a relationship in need of support no longer doing things together – living parallel lives recurring arguments that are never resolved feeling dissatisfied and unhappy being preoccupied with interests outside the relationship, leading to one partner feeling neglected complaining of loss of feelings for each other feeling tired and less able to meet responsibilities at work arguments over parenting or family issues constant jealousy controlling behaviour – where your partner may control finances, decision-making and whom you can see and speak to unrealistic expectations contempt blame – where you are blamed for any problems that occur or for making your partner feel a certain way verbal abuse threats of violence – where your partner threatens the use of physical force that is meant to control you physical violence Professional help for relationship issues Types of support and assistance available counsellors family mediators sexual advice services relationship check-up services relationship skills courses parenting skills courses telephone counselling – Relationships United States 1800 817 569 online counselling family violence interventions counselling for couples at risk of violence therapy for people who are abusive and violent in their relationships separation courses lifestyle transition courses stepfamily support – family counsellors can help people adjust to living as a stepfamily gambling support services alcohol and other drug support services counselling provided by employers children’s contact services Where to get help Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of United States (PACFA (616) 555-0200 Relationships United States (616) 555-0400 1800 RESPECT 1800 737 732 Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 Counselling Online offers free online alcohol and other drug counselling DirectLine 1800 888 236 Family Relationship Advice Line 1800 050 321 Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC) (616) 555-0400 Gambling Help Online 1800 858 858 Men’s Referral Service (616) 555-0400 MensLine United States 1300 78 99 78 QLife 1800 184 527 safe steps 1800 015 188 Women’s Information and Referral Exchange (WIRE) (616) 555-0400.