Couples Therapy
Couples Therapy is for couples who are in a relationship, married or not. It is often referred to as marriage counseling. The goal of couples therapy is to improve the couples’ relationship. This type of therapy can also help couples decide whether or not they should continue staying together. Although the focus of couples therapy is on the couple, there are times when the individual psychological issues of one or both parties need to be addressed.
Therapy often includes sessions designed to improve problem solving, build communication skills, and identify life goals and relationship responsibilities. Other common issues include infidelity, financial problems, illness and other life changes, and anger.
What to Expect in Couples Therapy
Couples therapy involves one or more licensed therapists who work with the couple as a team. Typically, therapy sessions last between 50 to 90 minutes and can occur weekly or bi-weekly, depending on the couple’s needs. The sessions provide a space for open dialogue and reflection, where each partner can share their feelings, frustrations, and desires in a non-judgmental and structured environment.
The primary focus of couples therapy is the relationship itself, but there are often times when individual psychological issues need to be addressed. If one or both partners are struggling with personal mental health challenges, such as anxiety, depression, or unresolved trauma, these issues may affect the relationship. In such cases, the therapist may suggest individual therapy alongside couples therapy to address personal concerns that are impacting the relationship.
Depending on the level of distress in the relationship, therapy can be short term or over a period of several months.
Common Issues Addressed in Couples Therapy
- Communication Problems: Poor communication is one of the most common reasons couples seek therapy. Therapy helps improve how partners communicate, enabling them to express their thoughts and feelings in a way that promotes understanding.
- Infidelity: Betrayal of trust, whether emotional or physical, can cause significant damage to a relationship. Therapy helps both partners process their feelings and work through the pain caused by infidelity, with the goal of rebuilding trust.
- Financial Issues: Money problems often lead to stress, arguments, and tension in a relationship. Couples therapy provides a space to address these issues, offering strategies for managing finances and improving communication around money matters.
- Life Changes: Major life events, such as moving, having children, or dealing with illness, can put a strain on relationships. Therapy helps couples navigate these changes, providing support and strategies for adjusting together.
- Anger and Conflict: Recurrent arguments, unresolved conflicts, and unmanaged anger can undermine a relationship. Couples therapy teaches healthy ways to manage conflict, express emotions without aggression, and understand each other’s needs.
- Intimacy and Connection: A lack of emotional or physical intimacy can lead to feelings of disconnect. Couples therapy helps partners reconnect emotionally and physically, rebuilding the closeness and affection that are essential for a healthy relationship.
- Parenting Challenges: Parenting can be a source of stress for couples, especially when there are differing opinions about discipline, family values, or the balance between work and family life. Therapy can help partners work together as a team to parent effectively and support each other.
Therapeutic Approaches Used in Couples Therapy
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT): EFT helps couples understand and express their emotions more effectively. The goal is to improve emotional attachment and create a safe space for partners to feel heard and valued.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors that are affecting the relationship. It helps couples identify unhelpful thoughts and replace them with healthier, more productive ways of thinking.
- Gottman Method: The Gottman Method is an evidence-based approach that focuses on building respect, affection, and closeness in relationships. It includes tools for improving communication, managing conflict, and fostering emotional intimacy.
- Solution-Focused Therapy: Solution-focused therapy is goal-oriented and focuses on finding practical solutions to relationship problems. It helps couples identify strengths and resources within the relationship that can be used to resolve conflicts and improve their connection.
Benefits of Couples Therapy
Couples therapy offers numerous benefits that can enhance both the relationship and individual well-being. It helps couples improve their communication by teaching them how to express themselves more effectively, leading to better understanding and less conflict. Therapy also provides couples with valuable conflict resolution skills, enabling them to navigate disagreements in a healthy and productive manner.
Additionally, it strengthens emotional connections, helping couples reconnect emotionally and rebuild intimacy and affection. Couples also learn how to collaborate and solve problems together, finding mutually beneficial solutions to challenges they face. For couples on the verge of separation, therapy can reignite the commitment to the relationship by rebuilding trust and fostering a renewed sense of connection.
Is Couples Therapy Right for You?
If you're facing challenges in your relationship, couples therapy could be a great option to explore. Whether you’re dealing with communication issues, trust concerns, or navigating life changes, therapy offers a structured and supportive environment to work through these challenges. Therapy can also help you gain clarity about your relationship and whether it’s worth continuing or if it’s time to part ways.
At Goodings Grove Psychology Associates, our experienced therapists are here to help you strengthen your relationship, improve communication, and navigate difficult emotions. Take the first step toward a healthier, more fulfilling relationship today.
Contact us to schedule a session or to learn more about how couples therapy can benefit your relationship.
