Couples Therapy

For any two people in a relationship

Couples Therapy Overview

During couples therapy sessions, I provide a safe and supportive environment for couples to explore their feelings, thoughts, and concerns. I work to help couples identify negative patterns of behavior and communication and provide tools and techniques to improve their relationship.

Couples Therapy Formats

Couples therapy can be conducted in various formats, including individual sessions with a therapist, joint sessions with both partners or a combination of the two. The duration of therapy varies depending on the couple’s specific needs and the nature of their issues.

Couples Therapy Results

Overall, couples therapy can be a valuable resource for couples seeking to improve their relationship, whether facing specific challenges or simply looking to enhance their connection and communication. It can provide a framework for couples to work through difficulties and create a healthier, more satisfying partnership.

Reasons for Couples Therapy

It is a valuable resource for couples facing a wide range of challenges. It can be delivered after the couple is married or as pre-marital counseling to address potential issues and build a strong foundation for their marriage. Relationship therapy can also be helpful for couples in a long-term relationship, whether or not it will likely lead to marriage.

The issues addressed in couples therapy include but are not limited to:

Couples Therapy for Communication Problems

Many couples struggle with effective communication, leading to misunderstandings, conflicts, and emotional distance. Couples therapy can teach couples better communication skills and techniques. This is a common starting point for relationship therapy since communication provides the basis for many other changes.

Relationship Therapy for Conflict Resolution

Conflicts are a natural part of any relationship, but unresolved conflicts can lead to resentment and long-term damage. I can help couples learn how to address and resolve conflicts healthily and productively. One example is money-related disputes, which are common in relationships and can lead to significant stress. Our therapy can help you develop strategies for managing finances and resolving money-related conflicts.

Couples Therapy After Infidelity

Trust is often broken when one or both partners have been unfaithful, and the relationship can be severely damaged. Couples therapy can help couples work through the aftermath of infidelity, rebuild trust, and decide whether to continue the relationship.

Relationship Therapy for Intimacy Issues

Many couples experience intimacy-related challenges, including differences in sexual desire, dysfunction, or issues related to past trauma. Therapy can assist couples in addressing these issues and finding ways to improve their physical and emotional connection.

Parenting and family issues

Raising children can stress a relationship as couples navigate differences in parenting styles, values, and priorities. Couples therapy can guide couples on how to co-parent effectively and maintain a healthy relationship while raising a family.

Steps in Therapy for Couples

Couples therapy follows the following general steps:

Assessment and Goal Setting

The first session often involves me getting to know the couple, their history, and the issues they are facing. I help the couple identify their goals for therapy. These goals could include improving communication, resolving conflicts, or rebuilding trust. Establishing a trusting and open relationship among us is essential during this phase. This helps the couple feel comfortable discussing their concerns and emotions.

The Start of Couples Therapy

Many couples struggle with effective communication. For therapy to have the maximum chance for success, I teach couples how to communicate better by listening actively, expressing themselves clearly, and avoiding destructive communication patterns like criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling. This also involves strategies for resolving conflicts more healthily, including identifying underlying issues, compromising, and finding win-win solutions.

Exploration of Underlying Issues

As the therapy progresses, we often uncover and explore the deeper issues contributing to their conflicts, such as past traumas, family dynamics, or individual emotional struggles. This is where we might try individual sessions alongside joint sessions, which can help address personal issues affecting the relationship.

Couples Therapy Homework and Practice

Couples are often given homework assignments to practice the skills and strategies they learn in therapy daily. This can be essential for making lasting changes. The success of couples therapy may depend on how motivated both people are to work on things outside of sessions.

Progress Evaluation and Termination

I periodically evaluate the therapy’s progress and whether the couple is achieving their goals. When the couple feels they have completed their goals and made substantial progress, we may terminate therapy. Alternatively, some couples continue with periodic “maintenance” sessions to ensure continued growth and stability.

Outcomes

The outcomes of relationship therapy can vary depending on several factors, including the specific issues you are facing, the therapist’s approach and skills, and the level of commitment from both partners. Here are some potential outcomes of couples therapy:

Improved Communication through Couples Therapy

Relationship therapy often focuses on enhancing communication skills, which can help partners better understand each other’s needs and concerns. Improved communication can lead to healthier and more productive interactions, which in turn can lead to better tools and strategies for resolving conflicts more effectively. Couples can learn how to address disagreements constructively and find mutually satisfying solutions. They can also learn new problem-solving skills, which are essential for addressing challenges that may arise in the future.

Increased Intimacy and Meaning through Couples Therapy

Many couples seek therapy to reconnect emotionally and physically. Couples therapy can help reignite intimacy and strengthen the emotional bond between partners. For some couples, therapy can reaffirm their commitment to each other. They may realize the value of their relationship and work to nurture it.

Better Understanding of Relationship Dynamics

Couples often gain insight into the patterns and dynamics in their relationship. This awareness can help them break negative cycles and make positive changes. Couples facing emotional distress, such as depression or anxiety, related to their relationship may experience relief and improvement in their mental health through therapy.

Coping with Life Transitions

Couples may seek therapy during significant life transitions, such as becoming parents, retiring, or dealing with illness. Therapy can help them adapt to these changes and maintain a strong partnership. Sometimes, relationship therapy can be helpful after the transition. It allows the couple to process what went well, what could have gone better, and how they can best support each other going forward.

It’s important to note that couples therapy’s effectiveness can vary, and success is not guaranteed. It largely depends on both partners’ willingness to engage in the process and make necessary changes. Sometimes, couples therapy is seen as a last resort, but other times, the couple is generally doing well and wants to iron out some ongoing issues.

Couples Therapy FAQ

What individual couples techniques will you use?

My therapy practice is integrative, meaning that when treating couples, I can draw from a variety of techniques and approaches. When we meet and I learn more about what the two of you are looking for, I will go over the possible approaches and combinations of methods we can choose from.

How long will couples therapy take?

After you make your goals, we’ll discuss your treatment plan, which will describe how long it may take to see meaningful and important improvements in your relationship. The depth of your challenges and how long they have affected your relationship will play a part.

How often will we meet?

I like to start couples therapy with weekly sessions for at least 3-4 weeks so I can fully understand the history of your relationship and the challenges you are facing. After that, we can discuss the frequency of couples therapy sessions, and we can always change it as you reach goals or set new ones.

Will we meet virtually or in-person?

I meet with many couples virtually, and I’ve found no difference in the effectiveness of meeting online. For many couples, it’s easier to meet virtually because they will not be in the same place simultaneously. When we are scheduled. I provide more information about online therapy in my blog post: Virtual Therapy Effectiveness.

How will we know that couples therapy is working?

It should not be a mystery whether couples therapy is working. We will set measurable, important, and clear goals, and as we progress, we will ensure that relationship therapy is working to help the two of you reach them.