Relationships evolve and develop over time. They can be altered or changed due to life events and circumstances. Pregnancy, raising, children, children leaving home and growing up, etc can all have different effects on the relationship. You as an individual may grow, mature, or have life experiences that will change you, and it, in turn, can change the relationship. As every relationship changes, what matters is that it is healthy and stays healthy regardless.

A black couple smiling and looking at each other. This represents how at Marcus Hunt Therapy I provide couples counseling, marriage therapy, and therapy for men through online therapy in Utah.

These are not the only signs of a healthy relationship, and just because you may not have one of these things doesn’t mean your relationship is doomed. It might mean that your relationship has something to work on, and as I always say, as long as you and your partner are both committed to working on it, there is hope.

Let’s talk about the ten signs of a healthy relationship that I have come up with today.

You trust your partner

Trust is the beginning of a healthy relationship. The success of the relationship will be built upon trust. It’s important to be able to know your partner has your best interests in mind. We need to know that our spouse won’t use things against us or share personal things outside of the relationship with other people. It’s important to be able to trust your partner will do what they say they’ll do. Your intimate partner should be who you trust above all other people in your life.

You are independent outside of the relationship

Even though our relationship is the most important one, it’s important that we feel like we can have our own identity and hobbies outside of it. Hobbies aren’t the main focus nor do they take away from the relationship. They add to the relationship and allow us to be a better version of ourselves in the relationship. It’s important to be able to support each other in those areas of your life. When we are secure we trust that you will go back to your partner and the relationship will be the same. Putting hobbies above the relationship is something to watch out for.

You have mutual respect for one another

A man holding a woman at a skate park. This represents how at Marcus Hunt Therapy I provide online marriage counseling, premarital counseling, and LDS marriage counseling in Utah.

Mutual respect in your relationship is more than providing respectful behavior. It involves protecting your partner, what they share with you, and their struggles in the relationship and not divulged to other family members and friends. This is not the same as being isolative when things aren’t healthy in the relationship. It’s ok to ask for help but it’s also important that your partner feels respected in the process.

You resolve conflict in a healthy way

Yelling, silent treatment, ignoring, berating, and leaving without saying where you are going and when you will return are not healthy ways of dealing with conflict. You can take breaks from an argument but your partner deserves to know you are coming back to the disagreement. Healthy conflict resolution involves working together to come up with a solution. Resolution can take time and maybe you need a break to get to that point and to de-escalate but communicate what the plan is to return to the conflict. Being able to talk about disagreements in a healthy way can be critical for the relationship.

You feel you can be open about your feelings and needs.

Maybe as a child or at other times in your life, you were given the message you shouldn’t feel your emotions or were shamed for having your emotions. This is a common experience at some point for all of us but a marriage or a committed relationship is the most important place to learn how to share and express emotions. You don’t want to be in a relationship where your partner uses this against you. It’s healthy when your partner can be respectful of what you’re feeling and you feel that you can share with them. I have struggled with sharing my emotions but my marriage has been the place to practice working on this.

You feel emotionally and physically safe with your partner

A man playing the guitar and a woman smiling and laughing. This represents how Marcus Hunt Therapy provides depression therapy, therapy for men, and couples counseling in Utah.

Along the same lines of being able to share your feelings with your partner, you feel that you are safe with them physically too. Both are equally important to individual well-being and the health of the relationship. If your relationship involves any physical abuse or intimidation, this doesn’t allow for any safety in the relationship. In order to thrive, you need to feel that there aren’t physical or emotional repercussions for behaviors. If you do find yourself in this situation, The Refuge Utah in Orem can help you find safety. If you’re located in Southern Utah, Canyon Creek Services may be helpful too.

You support each other in achieving goals

It’s important to support your partner or spouse in their dreams. When you know your partner believes in you and encourages you to work towards your goals, you are more likely to achieve those. A healthy relationship involves having partners that are willing to work with you for you to achieve your goals even if they aren’t their own goals.

You can be yourself in the relationship

There are many relationships that we have where we don’t feel we can be ourselves. In employment, school, and around friends and family, we might have our guard up but in your relationship with your spouse or partner, it’s important to feel like you can be yourself. You know your partner will love and accept all sides of you without ridicule or judgment. If there is one place in the world where you can be your real self it should be with your spouse.

You’re both satisfied with physical intimacy

Physical intimacy can be a challenging topic for many couples to navigate. Sex can be a difficult topic when you come from a religion or background that doesn’t teach body positivity or sexual positivity. It can be a tricky part to figure out in a relationship but the goal is to work toward both being satisfied with this part of your relationship. Sexual intimacy can be an opportunity to deepen your love and should be equally as focused on both partners, their comfort, and the frequency of it in the relationship. Physical intimacy is vulnerable and safety is important in this aspect.

You are equally committed to each other

A couple standing in the kitchen and smiling. This represents how at Marcus Hunt Therapy provides therapy for depression, couples counseling, and PTSD therapy in Utah.

It’s hard to have a healthy relationship when one partner has one foot out of the relationship. It can be difficult when one partner isn’t happy or doesn’t want to be in the relationship. It is important for both partners to be equally committed to growing the relationship and being focused on one another. Each partner needs to know that the other is all into the relationship and is willing to do whatever it takes to make it safe and happy for both of them.

Working with a couples therapist can help you create a healthy relationship.

Working with a couples therapist is a good place to share vulnerable things or to focus on any of these areas that I have previously mentioned that you may be struggling with. A couples counselor focuses on being non-judgment, unbiased, and not taking anyone's side. My goal in couples counseling is to focus on the relationship and create one that is healthy. I’m here to give you tools for a better marriage or relationship. I want to offer you new insight and perspective to be more successful in areas where you are struggling and deepen your trust. It might not be safe enough at home, but in therapy, a therapist can help you practice being able to do this at home on your own.

Looking for a couples therapist and located near Provo, Utah?

I love working with couples who have the desire and commitment to work on their relationship. If that’s you, then it’s possible to take your marriage to the next level through couples and marriage counseling. This Utah County Counseling Clinic has a caring therapist that can help. To begin your counseling journey, follow the steps below:

Schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation
Meet with a mental health expert for a first session
Begin marriage counseling

Marriage counseling through online therapy

Marriage counseling is also available through online therapy in Utah. Marriage counseling is as effective as meeting me in the office and much more convenient. It allows me to work with you if you are located in Logan, Salt Lake City, Cedar City or St. George, Utah.

Other Mental Health Services Provided by Marcus Hunt Therapy

Marriage counseling isn’t the only service I provide at this Provo Area Counseling Center. Other mental health services Marcus Hunt Therapy provides include premarital counseling, anxiety treatment, LDS marriage counseling, therapy for men, PTSD treatment, and EMDR and Trauma Therapy.

About the Author

Marcus Hunt AMFT offers marriage counseling, anxiety therapy, and couples counseling in Provo, Utah.

Marcus Hunt is an associate marriage and family therapist at Marcus Hunt Therapy in Spanish Fork, Utah. Marcus has a bachelor’s degree from Utah Valley University in behavioral science and a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from Abilene Christian University. Marcus loves working with couples who are committed to their relationships and marriages, but grief and trauma have disconnected them. Marcus specializes and enjoys working with LDS couples to strengthen their marriages. When Marcus isn’t doing therapy, he is a master foodie and enjoys getting late-night sushi at 5 Brothers Sushi in Provo.

10 Signs Of A Healthy Relationship: Advice From a Couples Therapist