Couples Therapy: Addressing unresolved relationship issues
Relationships are beautiful, but they can also be messy, especially when unresolved issues start to build up over time. For couples—whether dating or married—navigating relational stressors can feel even more complex, especially if you’re balancing demanding careers, family expectations, or the unique challenges of military life. Deployments, relocations, and the emotional weight of past trauma can all make communication harder, intimacy feel distant, and old wounds resurface at unexpected moments.
That’s where couples therapy can help. Therapy offers a safe, compassionate space to explore what’s really going on in your relationship, uncover patterns that might be holding you back, and learn tools to manage triggers more effectively. By working with a therapist, you can start to understand why certain situations spark conflict, how past experiences shape your reactions, and how to set healthy emotional boundaries in your relationship.
Understanding and Managing Relational Triggers
Every relationship has triggers—words, actions, or situations that stir up strong emotions. These triggers can come from past experiences, cultural expectations, or even previous deployments. In therapy, you and your partner can learn how to recognize your triggers, communicate about them without blame, and respond in ways that strengthens the connection.
Healing Old Wounds
Unresolved issues from earlier in your relationship—or even from previous relationships—can quietly influence how you relate to your partner. Therapy can help both partners explore these wounds, process feelings that might have been ignored or suppressed, and create new patterns of interaction. For couples with military connections, therapy can also address unique stressors like separation during deployment or reintegration challenges, helping partners reconnect emotionally and physically.
Building Emotional Resilience Together
Entering a new year with a stronger relationship doesn’t happen by accident. Couples therapy can help you grow closer, improve intimacy, and set intentions for how you want to interact with each other moving forward. You’ll gain tools to manage conflict, celebrate your strengths, and support each other in a way that feels safe and nurturing.
If you’re ready to address unresolved issues, strengthen your communication, and deepen your connection, scheduling a consultation is a great first step. Associate Therapist Ximena Marin Gutierrez specializes in supporting couples with therapy for marriage dynamics, relational stressors, emotional boundaries in relationships, and intimacy. She offers evening and weekend virtual appointments for Virginia residents. Reach out today to start your journey toward a healthier, more resilient relationship. —Comunícate hoy para comenzar tu camino hacia una relación más saludable y resiliente.
Meet Ximena Marin Gutierrez, MSW
Ximena specializes in supporting BIPOC couples seeking to strengthen their relationships. She is currently a supervisee in social work under the supervision of Kelsey Wilson, LCSW, LICSW.
Originally from Columbia, Ximena is a bilingual therapist fluent in English and Spanish, with a Master’s in Social Work from Howard University. Her professional experience includes trauma-informed research, supporting survivors of trauma, and providing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy. She uses a compassionate, evidence-based, and culturally informed approach to create a safe and empowering space for clients to thrive.
