How to Build Trust in a Marriage

We expect trust to grow automatically in our marriages without making any conscious effort...

Marriage
May 23, 2025

We expect trust to grow automatically in our marriages without making any conscious effort, but you require several active ingredients to build trust in a marriage. One of the fantastic ways to build trust in your marriage is to prioritize a connection with your partner, enabling you to keep track of the other’s changing thought processes while spending time together.Also, you can encourage your partner’s trust in you by maintaining honesty in every aspect of your marriage, even when there may be harmful emotional consequences when you are honest.Another core component of building trust is being respectful to your partner through your choice of words, tone of words, approach to conversations, consideration for their feelings, and support for their interests.You can equally build trust with your partner by admitting your faults and saying sorry whenever you err because being able to accept your wrongs indicates you value the marriage above being right.

You can use these ingredients to build trust in a marriage:

Prioritize a Connection

From the dating stage to the settled stage, there’s usually a difference in the level of connection between partners, with them being oblivious to the fact that connection is a sure way to build trust in a marriage.If you want to prioritize the connection with your partner, you can appreciate their good deeds, ensuring increased relationship satisfaction, emotional support, better intimacy, and improved relationship commitment. You can also prioritize them by noticing the small details in their life, including their friends, fashion changes, and goals, allowing you to show you value their concerns.Similarly, if you create a balance in your work life and put aside work when you get home, you can put your partner first.To prevent you from getting distracted from your partner, you can imagine the future to realize how important your partner is since they will be the only one left with you after your parents and kids go.

Maintain Honesty

Constantly upholding the tenet of honesty is a crucial way to build trust in a marriage because it grants each partner security in the other’s words. In your marriage, ensure that honesty is treated as an essential value to practice mutually to prevent a feeling of excessive vulnerability in the honest partner where they are the only open one.Honesty also demands that you avoid white lines and petty justifications for keeping the truth from them, with the understanding that attempting to hide the fact because you don’t want to hurt them is still dishonest.When you are honest to your partner, try to be kind and not mistake bluntness for honesty, keeping in mind that your insensitive words may hurt your partner and damage their trust in you.You can equally consider the timing of your honest words or evaluation before you share them with your partner because they may not be in a good emotional or relaxed physical state to listen.

Speak Truth spelled out with scrabble letters

Be Respectful

Possessing respect and acting on that respect for a partner can help build trust in a marriage because it means you are satisfied with their different opinions and views.Being respectful means that you are mindful of how you communicate even when you disagree with them, understanding that validating their feelings is necessary for respect and trust to blossom.To show respect, you can also ensure you stay accountable and reliable in your dealings with your partner to preserve their mental energy and time instead of doubting your every promise.Not constantly texting your partner or snooping through their chat applications is another means of respecting them because it shows that you trust their fidelity.Ultimately, the most significant measure of respect is when you appreciate the differences between you and desist from coercing them to take your views; differences make a marriage beautiful by giving you access to another perspective.

Admit Your Wrongs

Becoming defensive or justifying mistakes is sure to create emotional barriers in a relationship; thus, it’s essential to admit wrongs to a partner to build trust in a marriage.When you make a mistake, tell the truth, assume responsibility, and try to avoid blaming someone else, hiding the error, or pretending it never happened.After telling the truth, accept the consequences of the mistake and understand that the error may upset your partner, but the mistake's admittance can help defuse the situation.Then you can try to fix the mistake by doing what it may take to correct it and ensure you learn from it because even if you can’t change the past, you can surely avoid such mistakes in the future.

Once you correct the mistake, pick a great time to apologize to your partner with sincerity in your heart and a realization that they may not get over it quickly.

A white wall with the words come together in black

Be an Emotional Safe Zone

Creating an emotional safe zone is essential for the growth of love, openness, and good mental health; therefore, it can help partners build trust in a marriage. An excellent way to start is by being an active listener, which you can easily do by asking them questions during a conversation and summarizing what they have said.You can equally pay attention to your non-verbal cues because your partner can subconsciously interpret your body language to know if you are offering emotional safety.You can also try to avoid judging your partner and instead give them the benefit of the doubt, look at what they did with understanding and compassion, and be curious about the reason for their action.Relationship therapy may also help you create a safe emotional zone because introducing an expert can help you work together to develop great ways to build emotional safety.

Conclusion

As tricky as trust can be, it’s relatively easy to build it with your partner, considering the unique feelings between both of you.If you perceive a lack of trust or desire to deepen the trust in your marriage, try to prioritize a connection with your partner, maintain honesty with them always, give them respect, admit your mistakes, and be their emotional safe zone.

Resources

https://www.marriage.com/advice/marriage-fitness/ways-to-prioritize-your-spouse/

http://www.markmerrill.com/6-ways-to-nurture-honesty-in-your-marriage/

https://www.teenhealthcare.org/blog/6-ways-to-show-respect-in-your-relationship/

https://www.liveabout.com/you-are-wrong-make-things-right-2303309

https://psychcentral.com/blog/how-do-you-create-emotional-safety-in-your-relationships#takeaway

https://www.fatherly.com/love-money/what-building-trust-in-a-marriage-really-requires/

Author
Jennifer Luttman, LPC, ACS

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, and owner of Overcomers Counseling. I'm dedicated to helping individuals find strength and healing through life’s challenges. With a deep understanding of mental health and years of professional experience, I specialize in fostering hope and resilience while equipping her clients with tools to thrive. Passionate about empowering others, she creates a safe, supportive space where everyone feels seen, valued, and capable of overcoming obstacles on their path to well-being.

Common Questions about Marriage

How long does marriage counseling take?

Again, this will depend on the specific goals and needs of the couple. Some couples may only need a few sessions, while others may need more.

Are there scientific foundations supporting EFT couples therapy?

Yes, EFT is supported by research in behavioral and brain sciences, showing its effectiveness in improving relationship satisfaction and emotional bonds. Studies highlight its impact on creating lasting positive changes in couples' relationships.

Is the information shared in couples counseling kept confidential?

Yes, therapists are bound by ethical guidelines and legal requirements to maintain client confidentiality. This means that the information shared during your couples counseling sessions will not be disclosed to anyone without your written consent, except in cases where there is a risk of harm to yourself or others, or when required by law. It is essential to discuss any concerns about confidentiality with your therapist at the beginning of therapy to ensure a safe and trusting therapeutic environment.

How long does it take to build trust in a relationship?

Trust is built over time through positive experiences and interactions. However, it can be difficult to say how long it will take to build trust in a particular relationship as it varies from couple to couple.

Is couples counseling only for couples in crisis or experiencing severe issues?

No, couples counseling can be beneficial for couples at any stage of their relationship and with varying levels of difficulties. Even couples who have a strong foundation can benefit from counseling to enhance communication, deepen emotional connection, or navigate life transitions. Seeking professional guidance early on can prevent minor issues from escalating into more significant problems.

When Should I Talk to a Professional?

If you've tried everything and you're still not sure how to help your codependent husband, it may be time to seek professional help. This is a big decision, but it may be the best thing for your husband and your relationship. If you're not sure where to start, you can talk to your husband's doctor or mental health professional. They will be able to provide you with more information on codependency and how to help your husband.