How Does Couples Therapy
Whether you and your partner are struggling in a relationship or just want to get better, counseling may be an option. You can find a therapist who specializes in couples therapy by searching online or using your insurance company’s database. You can also ask friends or family members for referrals.
A good therapist will use a variety of assessment tools, including self-report questionnaires, observational techniques, physiological readings, and therapist rating scales. These tools can help the therapist understand the way the couple functions in their interactions and what is causing issues.
The first session with your couples therapy will likely involve an intake, where the therapist gets to know you and your partner and asks questions about your reasons for seeking therapy. This will help your therapist make an informed assessment of your relationship and create an effective treatment plan.
How Does Couples Therapy Differ From Individual Therapy?
You’ll also talk about your past, so your therapist can help you identify issues that are affecting your present. This will help your therapist identify and resolve conflicts, improve communication skills, and teach you anger management and problem-solving skills.
Your therapist will focus on helping you understand each other better and explore your feelings, hopes, fears, priorities, values, and beliefs. This can help you and your partner get to know each other better, improve communication, and solve conflicts that have been causing problems.
During couples therapy, your therapist will help you improve your communication skills and teach you how to express your feelings without attacking or blaming your partner. This can help you and your partner improve your relationship, says psychologist Eric Mueller, Ph.D.
In couples therapy, both partners participate in sessions together. This can cause some conflict, since one partner may not feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and emotions in front of the other person. This can make it difficult to communicate and build trust, but your therapist will try to minimize this by making sure there is a designated time for each person to speak up in the therapy room.
A therapist can also work with both partners individually outside of the couples sessions to teach them skills and strategies for resolving conflicts. This can include teaching you how to manage anger, frustration, and other heated emotions.
You and your partner can also talk about topics that are important to both of you, such as your childhoods, how you met each other, your early years in the relationship, or any other major events in your lives. This can help you better understand your relationship and help you build a strong foundation.
There are many benefits to both individual and couples therapy, but it is important to note that some issues are better addressed in an individual setting. Some of these issues can be more serious, such as mental health challenges, substance abuse, or anger management disorders.