The 6 Stages a Marriage Goes Through, According to a Family Therapist

What happens after “I do”? For many couples, getting married is one of the biggest challenges and changes in their relationship. And typically, There are many aspects that need to be worked on, because love is not enough to maintain a marriage happy.

At least he thinks so. Marc Webb an American marriage and family therapist, who identified What are the stages that marriages go through? —each with its challenges and opportunities— to be able to overcome and fully enjoy with the life partner we choose.

Newlyweds begin at this stage, where passion and romance predominate. At this stage, it is usual for couples to be completely in love and make it clear what they want from their common future, so that they feel satisfaction in satisfying each other’s needs and reinforcing the feeling of love and care.

Many couples begin living together for the first time when they get married. At this stage, it is when Each person’s particularities begin to manifest themselves, and they are not always well received. Some people may feel frustration and irritation toward others, but Webb explained that it is necessary to understand that no one is perfect.

However, the dynamics have changed since then. People fail to “meet” other people’s expectations, so they begin to feel disappointment and pain. This is a good point to seek psychological help, according to the specialist.

This stage, according to the psychologist, is the most difficult of marriage: It is common for conflicts to persist and for couples to begin to consider temporary separation or even divorce.

Fights often generate resentment, and in extreme cases, the therapist adds, They initiate extramarital affairs as a means of hurting others.

For Webb, if preventative measures are not taken and there is no point in learning how to make a marriage successful, “Many couples are at risk of getting stuck at this stage.”

In this line, Only those who demonstrate a more complete and mature relational way can go through this phase serenely.

When the couple has learned to communicate and solve problems effectively, By maintaining intimacy and friendship, we move to the Alliance stage, where people are more connected to each other.

There is mutual respect and feelings towards each other evolve: differences are no longer tolerated, but rather accepted.

According to the therapist, At this point, passion and pleasure as a couple resurface. It’s also called an “empty nest,” where couples typically have older children and begin to spend more time together.

This stage shows “a secure and stable couple, who fully enjoy each other’s company and the life they have built together. Marriage becomes a tribute to mutual respect and appreciation. This is the key to happy couples.

Webb recommended that, Especially in stages 2 and 3, couples seek support from specialized professionals, to contribute to the well-being of the marriage. and learn how to use conversation and problem-solving tools.