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At what point in a relationship would you seek outside help? My on-again-off-again boyfriend wants to be on again. I think we should see a counselor to sort out our obvious problems, but he doesn't. I just want the cycle to end. Am I being unreasonable?

Hell no!

You are being wise and trying to save a relationship that is important to you. If he had any sense, he'd see that and be flattered that you care so much about keeping him. I wish I were there so I could slap him upside his fool head and tell him to wake the F up before he loses you. Then he'd say, "Huh?" and I'd smack him again, because I will flat slap a bitch* who needs slapping. And he needs slapping.

Kidding aside (except I wasn't), to me therapy is one of those "Why not?" kinda things. Even if you're the most well-adjusted person in the world, or have the greatest relationship, there's always something to be learned about yourself or each other by consulting an objective expert. My guess is that he's never had any therapy, so he's afraid of the unknown.

Maybe he's picturing the two of you lying on couches while a Dr. Freud-type asks you questions about your mothers and asserts that he is subconsciously afraid of the vagina (they do take some getting used to at first). Or maybe he thinks you are setting him up for an ambush, and he has visions of you and the therapist taking turns berating him for being a lousy boyfriend.

You aren't ambushing him, of course. Anyone who's been in therapy knows that it's nothing like that. A good counselor creates a comfortable, supportive and non-threatening environment for patients, and wants only to help you resolve your differences. They don't take sides, don't play favorites, and almost always have suggestions for both parties in a relationship. After all, it takes two to screw things up, and you can both learn from your missteps as a couple.

My suggestion to you is to find out why he's averse to therapy. If he's anxious about what to expect, assure him that it's a positive, helpful process, not a forum for you two to yell at each other or a place where he has to verbalize how he felt that time he accidentally saw his father's schlong. If he's worried about a gang-up, offer to let him choose the therapist. Some doctors will agree to an interview so that you can meet them before committing to therapy to see if it's a good match.

If he still won't go, then I can only assume that he thinks you don't need therapy or just isn't willing to do the work needed to salvage your relationship. In either case, I would think long and hard before getting involved with him again, because nothing will change (see Einstein's definition of insanity).

I won't tell you to make counseling a condition of taking him back, but I wouldn't blame you if you did.


* Dudes. I don't hit chicks. A chick will kick you in the nuts.

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7 Comments

totalblammblamm

I agree, Cary. You have to 'earn your way out' of a relationship, in my opinion, and counseling is effort. If that effort fails (after a good faith attempt), then he has earned his way out.

True story: I dated a man for three years, we broke up, I married someone else, divorced him, and EIGHT YEARS LATER married that first man. Husband and I will be married nine years in October. On again, off again relationships can work... but they do take EFFORT!

*joins you in slapping a bitch*

user-pic

Totally agree with you, Mr.Ass. My parents begged my ex and I to go to marriage counseling and I'm so glad I did. He not only helped me confirm my decision, but also helped me realize that it wasn't all my fault. I even later heard that my ex went back to see him solo, so it must not have been too terrible for him. And by going I feel like I can honestly say, "I tried everything."

I'd be a little leary of a guy who was unwilling to go. There's absolutely nothing to lose, and so much to gain. If he sincerely cares about the relationship, it should be a no brainer.

Put it to him in guy speak, so to speak. If the relationship was a car that kept breaking down, you'd take it to the shop. And just think of counselor as a mechanic. Let that deep metaphor really soak in.

TBB, I love your story!

Cary, LOVE the tags on this one!

Frank

Damn, samsmama, I think you may have found the key to my singleness! I never take my cars to a shop, I always work on them myself. (And they never run exactly right.)

user-pic

" A good counselor creates a comfortable, supportive and non-threatening environment for patients, and wants only to help you resolve your differences. They don't take sides, don't play favorites, and almost always have suggestions for both parties in a relationship. "

Count me out. I want someone (besides me) to tell my husband what a boob he is.

Cary McNeal

I'll tell him. What's his number?

Daisy

"they do take some getting used to at first" HA HA HA HA HA!

Oh my goodness. That did me in. Thanks for the laugh, Cary.

Excellent answer too, by the way, right on target. :-)

Lefty

Look at it as an opportunity to get back with the lady. If the lady wants a prerequisite, a gentleman obliges. Then he gets to touch the boobies.

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