Marriage Counseling: The Effect Of Technology On Relationships And Communication

Marriage counseling is available at Take Charge, Inc. in Overland Park, KS to help improve communication and recover from relationship crises. The rapid development and availability of technology is significantly impacting our relationships.  Email, instant messaging, and social media along with unlimited internet access right in our pockets make our life easier and more enjoyable. They have also brought about new challenges for our closest relationships, however. Immediate access allows many new ways to connect with people but also makes it necessary to clearly define boundaries. 

Previous generations had a clearer boundary between work life and home life. With cell phones, laptops, text messaging, instant messaging, and video chats, work often comes to our home, our cars, and our family.  We frequently have multiple conversations (both work and personal) going at the same time on the same device. 

Technology Enables Compulsive Behaviors

Online gambling, compulsive online shopping, or compulsive internet searching also impacts relationships. These activities are often extensions of other compulsive or addictive behaviors. With the ease of the internet, the person can gamble without the casino, shop without a mall, and search without a library. This removes many of the previous barriers.

Technology Can Seed Mistrust And Thwart Intimacy

All too often, relationships are damaged by an outside relationship borne through technology.  One person will be devastated by the discovery of an online relationship. They feel betrayed and their intimacy and trust are shattered. The other person responds by saying it was only online, meant nothing, and it wasn’t an affair since nothing physical happened. 

Another crisis that strikes couples is the discovery of internet pornography, cybersex, or sexting relationships.

This is an important issue to be addressed professionally in marriage counseling instead of dismissed as a minor indiscretion. This type of contact can often lead to secret phone calls and live video sexting, and ultimately progress to real-life meetings. The combination of stimulating experiences, ease of access, low cost, and anonymity contribute to overuse and potentially addictive problems.

This virtual betrayal, while clearly not the same as a full-blown affair, should not be dismissed. The online relationship is usually a sign of a breakdown in communication, sexual dissatisfaction, or unmet needs. The internet relationship offers unconditional support, comfort, and understanding. 

Marriage Counseling Can Help

It is crucial for couples to learn how to unplug from technology so they can have real face time to nourish their relationships. Talk with your key relationships and set boundaries for time or for ways of connecting. Marriage counseling can help you learn to manage your time better and make the most of the time you spend together. 

Marriage Counseling At Take Charge, Inc.

If one or more of these issues is affecting your relationship, marriage counseling is available at Take Charge, Inc. Terri Clinton Dichiser utilizes Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT) to help couples recognize the patterns they have established in their relationship and offers tools and strategies to break those patterns to create a renewed sense of safety and security with your spouse.

For more information about marriage counseling at Take Charge, Inc., click here or call (913) 239-8255.