Is Yours On The List? The Questions I Hear Most Often From Couples
After 20+ years as a relationship therapist, I’ve noticed most couples think they’re the only ones struggling.
The truth is, I hear the same questions again and again, and that’s good news! It means you’re not alone, and there are tools that can help. (See our favorite resources here.)
Here are the top concerns couples bring to therapy, and why they matter.
Communication & Conflict
Why do we keep having the same fight over and over?
How can we stop our arguments from getting so personal and hurtful?
Why does my partner shut down during conflict?
Why these questions matter
These are the “stuck loops” most couples recognize but have a hard time breaking free from. The truth is, the fight isn’t really about dishes or tone of voice; it’s about the deeper fear of not being seen, heard, or loved.
Learning to see the pattern – instead of blaming the partner or spiraling into your own shame – is often the first moment of changing the cycle.
📝 Resource: Why You Keep Having the Same Fight with Your Partner (and How to Stop the Cycle)
Emotional Connection & Time Together
What do I do if my partner isn’t making time for me?
How do I bring up problems without it turning into a fight?
How can I support my partner’s healing without feeling like the bad guy?
Why these questions matter
Presence and support are at the heart of secure relationships. When one partner feels alone, or carrying too much of the weight, resentment builds. Relearning how to prioritize and attune to each other restores the sense of “us.”
➡️ Resource: How to Ask for Connection Without Pushing Your Partner Away
💛 Related: Love Someone With Anxiety or Addiction? How Individual Therapy Can Help.
Intimacy & Vulnerability
How do we deal with mismatched sex drives?
How do we keep our sex life fun and connected over time?
How can we rebuild intimacy after a rupture or betrayal?
Why these questions matter:
Intimacy is about more than affection and physical closeness. It has deeper layers related to emotional safety and vulnerability. Every couple will face mismatches or shifts, but with honesty and curiosity, those seasons can deepen connection rather than divide.
Resource: The Power of Scheduled Intimacy to Enhance Connection
Money, Parenting, & Life Stressors
How can we talk about money without arguing?
How can we agree on parenting?
How can we be on the same page about our in-laws?
Why these questions matter
Money, parenting, and other stressors, like health or family, can quickly trigger defensiveness. These conversations don’t have to end in fights or disconnection, but can open the door to a deeper understanding of your partner’s inner world and values.
📚 Related: Supporting Your Special Needs Child and Your Relationship: Is Balance Possible?
When to Get Help
When is it time to try couples therapy instead of just trying harder?
Should I do individual therapy or couples therapy?
What should I do if my partner won’t go to couples therapy?
Why these questions matter
Many couples wait too long to get support, hoping things will resolve on their own. While transitional events may resolve on their own, most relationship patterns don’t shift without external support and awareness. Therapy can be a great resource for you to experience more closeness, connection, and harmony in your relationship.
🌆 Resource: Explore Relationship Support in Houston, TX
🚫 Related: When Your Partner Refuses Couples Therapy: Navigating Relationship Struggles Solo
Your Relationship is not Broken
Whatever question brought you here, know this: your struggles are not a sign that your relationship is broken. They’re signals that something in your relationship is asking for care and attention.
With the right tools, including the support of a therapist, these struggles can become opportunities for deeper connection.
If you and your partner are ready to break free of old cycles and rediscover closeness, schedule a free consultation with Heights Couples Therapy. Together, we can help you move from disconnection to deep love.