Entering into a relationship means merging your life with another person, understanding his or her flaws, quirks and beliefs. With marriage rates declining and divorce statistics set at 50%, it is clear that people are increasingly challenged by marriage and relationship issues, and many lack effective ways to address them. So how can we bridge the gap to understanding our partners better and enjoying romantic bliss?

Many factors affect the interpersonal relationship between two partners who are a couple and sometimes it's hard to see the cause of conflict or friction in a relationship. While some people find divorce to be the best or only option, other people speak to counsellors and psychologists  in a bid to try salvage the relationship.

Signs that indicate a need for couples counselling include poor communication in a relationship, affairs, living past one another, inability to resolve marriage of couples' issues, and acting out negative feelings. When divorce seems like the only option, or if a couple is staying together for the kids' sake, that's a sure sign that therapy is needed.

Therapists do not necessarily  believe that all marriages can be salvaged, but counselling can often help even some of the most challenged relationships.  Through talk therapy, the couple will discover again why they fell in love and what they can do to get back to that place in their marriage. They use a range of effective, proven methods to help couples in any situation to restore intimacy and move past the hurt and wounds to a safe and comfortable place.

The concrete tools used by marriage therapists provide guidance in a supportive and encouraging setting and empower clients to restructure their thoughts and emotions. It helps the couple to work with each other, instead of on one another, helping each individual to find the person he or she is at the core level and to build a happy union.

If you are looking for a counsellor or psychologist who works with  couples you may want to search the directory to find a professional whose approach will suit you best.

** Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-SUICIDE  if you or someone you know is at risk of suicide. **

Suicidal ideation includes any thoughts of potentially fatal self-harm, whether they are fleeting or well-formulated, and applies in the absence of actual suicide. While many people have faced suicidal ideation without having committed the act, many have in fact made attempts and some have succeeded.

People who face suicidal ideation often have many other psychological symptoms that lead them to this condition, including panic attacks, insomnia, anxiety, hopelessness and depression. However, not all people with mental or medical issues consider suicide, but all suicidal ideation incidents should receive urgent attention.  Someone who experiences suicidal ideation may threaten to hurt or kill him or herself, make attempts to find ways to commit suicide; write or talk about their own death; seek revenge, feel unhappy or trapped, and engage in risky behaviors.

People with mood disorders, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are at a higher risk for suicidal ideation, as are people with cancer and AIDS.

It is important for people with suicidal ideation to seek urgent help from an experienced counsellor or therapist. Psychotherapy has been found to be effective in helping people deal with issues of hopelessness. A professional counsellor will explore the circumstances that led to the suicidal ideation and help to restore hope to the client. It will help to resolve underlying causes of suicidal ideation and find coping strategies to curb impulses that lead to self-harm. Therapy will also help the client to reframe his or her perceptions and worldview.

If you are looking for a counsellor or psychologist who offers counselling approaches to address your suicidal ideation issues, you may want to search the directory to find a professional whose approach will suit you best.