by Karen Duvall

Created on: July 19, 2009   Last Updated: July 30, 2009

A romantic partnership is complex and challenging, so it's no wonder couples often struggle to make it work. Events that happen over the course of a relationship affect not only a couple's feelings toward each other, but the way they express those feelings are influenced as well. Relationships grow, growth brings change, and some changes aren't always easy to accept.

Rocky relationships may be caused by one or more of the top ten issues dealt with in couples therapy:

1) Infidelity - Unfaithfulness can be the most painful experience in a relationship. It's a betrayal of trust, and without forgiveness infidelity can destroy a marriage or partnership.

2) Sexual Difficulties - Whether the problem is too much sex or not enough, this intimate detail in a relationship can cause major problems. Sex is an expression of love and a couple that disagrees about intimacy is a couple in trouble.

3) Substance Abuse - Having a partner with an addiction to drugs or alcohol is like throwing a pebble in a still pond: the ripples spread out to affect everyone, including family and friends. The greater the strain on the relationship, the more drugs or alcohol the partner will abuse.

4) Financial Problems - When a couple struggles financially it brings out resentments, insecurities and blame that can start an ongoing argument. Each partner may question who's at fault and who's the failure, and that can drive a wedge between them.

5) Unemployment - Holding onto a job is stressful enough, but when one or both partners become unemployed, it sets the stage for conflict. Self-confidence is shaken followed by guilt, shame, and anger, all of which can compound the couple's worries about money.

6) Disagreements about Child Rearing - If a couple has children, they may not see eye-to-eye on how a child should be raised. Strict methods verses lenient ones are sure to ruffle the feathers of them both.

7) Blended Families - When each partner comes to their new relationship with children, there's bound to be resentments, favoritism issues, jealousy, and behavior concerns that try everyone's patience.

8) Lack of Communication - As time goes by, people can change their interests, goals, ambitions and perceptions, which often affects how a couple communicates. If they stop talking, it may feel like they don't know each other any more.

9) Anger - Unchecked anger can tear a relationship apart and become dangerous if it leads to violence. Anger disrupts communication and forms a barrier between partners who need to talk things out.

10) Health Issues - Mental or physical health problems can seriously upset a romantic partnership. Illness or injury may restrict intimacy and communication. Everyday activities that were once familiar become strange and uncomfortable.

If you and your significant other are experiencing any of these problems, your relationship may be in need of repair. A counselor is impartial and able to view both sides of a relationship problem to help each partner see the other's point of view. Seek the advice you need to get your relationship off the rocks and on the road to recovery.

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