Addressing concerns in your relationships with spouses and partners

The MSU EAP provides short term counseling for couples. The counselor can help you work through a specific life event, improve the general health of your relationship, or explore an issue together.

Is couples counseling right for you?

If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, couples counseling may not be the best first step for you and your partner:

  • Are either of you distressed, upset or frustrated with your own, or your partner's alcohol or drug use?
  • Do either of you experience (or fear) verbal, emotional, and/or physical abuse in this relationship?
  • Are either of you lying or withholding information about a current affair or unresolved former relationship?
  • Are either of you interested in using couples therapy as a forum to blame or complain about your partner?
  • Are either of you engaged in self-destructive or secretive activities that violate the trust in this relationship (excessive lying, spending, shopping or gambling problems, porn addiction, illegal activity)?
  • Have either of you secretly decided to end the relationship rather than repair it?

Answering “Yes” to any question above indicates that individual therapy would be the preferred treatment choice. Both partners are eligible for individual appointments with the MSU EAP. Information shared in individual sessions remain entirely confidential, and would not be shared with your partner.

If you answered “No” to all of these questions, then couples therapy is appropriate. Feel free to call the EAP and make an appointment.

If you are still uncertain, the MSU EAP staff is here to assist you in getting started on the best counseling path for your situation. If you have questions, call to schedule a phone consult with a counselor at 517-355-4506, or eap@msu.edu

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