JEDDAH: In the absence of a proven formula of success in relationships and life, counseling in the Kingdom has started to be accepted and to guide those who seek help.
As part of the Jeddah Ghair summer festival, Guidelines center for counseling and education gave a three-hour lecture by one of its counselors, Nisreen Bukhary. The lecture addressed the first year of marriage.
The presentation was held recently at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The enlightening evening was attended by all age groups with both singles and married women who were serious about creating more emotional intimacy in their lives.
In this interactive lecture, women asked Bukhary questions about their personal problems either with their partner, family or kids. Bukhary talked about dealing with marriage difficulties women are facing through her experience in counseling.
She advised women to consider counseling more than once.
“Many of those women who come for counseling think that it is like magic that works only one time. Counseling needs time,” Bukhary said. She asked the audience to define love. Some answered that love is being happy with a partner, having someone to turn to in times of need, giving and compromising. Bukhary said that a woman should love herself before loving anyone else.
“A partner should be a part of the woman’s life not her whole life,” she said.
While the Saudi divorce rate is increasing, awareness and advice have become vital to those who want to settle down. Throughout her lecture Bukhary offered innovative communication techniques.
Bukhary gave a presentation on the kinds on problems between couples and how to deal with the differences in personalities. “Ignoring some of the partner’s bad behavior or habits is better than facing it,” she said. “However, some bad behavior related to religion should not be ignored, such as a man who doesn’t pray or who drinks alcohol or is abusive.”
She advised women to be positive and non-critical with their husbands. “Never chase your husband when he starts going away. Give him some time to think and solve his problems alone and he will come back to you,” she added. “And never nag.”
