Relationship counseling, also known as couples-therapy and marriage counseling, helps couples work through their specific relationship issues. It is led by licensed professionals — often licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs) — who are experts in their field and best equipped to help couples. Some examples of common focuses within relationship counseling include:
- Jealousy
- Trust issues
- Infidelity
- Opposing values
- Different visions for the future
- Disagreements in parenting
- Lack of trust
- Financial distress
- Sex issues
Relationship counseling works by helping couples identify and better navigate their unique challenges. Following an initial assessment of the couple in terms of strengths and needs, the therapist would then discuss their therapeutic goals and any possible approaches or ways of working together as therapist and couple.
Couples attend sessions together, whether they meet in person or by video. In addition to regular couples therapy sessions, each partner may also be asked to attend a few individual sessions to supplement their progress. This will allow their counselor to get to know each individual better, assess each of their personal needs, and develop the very best treatment plan moving forward.
On average, couples attend relationship counseling for 12 weeks. However, relationship counseling may last longer or shorter, dependent on the couples’ needs, the challenges they’d like to work through, and the pace of their progress.
Even the most robust relationships can need work from time to time. Communicating and solving problems can be challenging in any relationship and there’s nothing wrong with reaching out for support. Relationship therapists and counselors can help couples who are going through a difficult time –– no matter what that entails.
There’s no reason to navigate complicated relationship issues alone. You and your partner, like many others, can benefit from couples counseling or therapy. A skilled and empathetic mental health professional can get to the heart of your concerns during therapy or counseling sessions. If you’re interested in improving your relationship, consider working with a therapist or counselor from Thriveworks Counseling in Greeley, CO. Call our office to schedule your first session with a mental health professional.
Why Do Couples Attend Therapy or Counseling?
The disagreements and challenges present in every relationship are unique. The important thing to remember is these circumstances don’t define a couple, but rather, our reactions to these disagreements can color a relationship. Let’s go through the common reasons a couple might meet with a licensed marriage and family therapist:
- Ongoing conflict: Certain aspects of a relationship can cause tension, ranging from opposing political views to differing standards of cleanliness. Money woes, parenting styles, dissimilar personalities, intimacy issues, and more can disrupt your happiness. A couple that struggles to compromise or communicate effectively might get stuck in a cycle of blame.
- Shared tragedy: Coping with shared challenges together can sometimes be uplifting. But the loss of a child, close friend, or family member can put a strain on any relationship.
- Major transitions: Moving in together, raising a child, or a sudden change in employment can throw off the balance in your relationship. In these situations, it can be healthy to reevaluate existing boundaries and establish new ones.
Marriage Therapy and Couples Counseling: How It Can Help
Couples therapy or counseling can take a multifaceted approach by combining paired sessions with one-on-one time with a therapist. However your sessions proceed, there are several common and meaningful takeaways to putting therapeutic effort into your relationship:
- Neutral feedback: A professional can serve as an objective third party in disputes, helping you resolve conflict by presenting it from a new perspective.
- Research-based strategies: Sessions can draw on several practices, such as the Gottman Method, which aims to prevent emotional withdrawal, defensiveness, and other negative habits that harm a relationship’s resilience.
- New appreciation for your partner: A licensed professional can help you reflect on your time together through guided conversation, journaling, and structured time like date nights. Couples who address their issues head-on tend to fare better than those who ignore growing problems.
Schedule Your First Session at Thriveworks in Greeley, CO
Working with a compassionate therapist or counselor may be just the thing to get your relationship back on track. At Thriveworks Counseling, convenient appointments are available throughout the week, including on the weekends and during evening hours. Our providers in Greeley, CO, accept many different insurance plans to make care more affordable and accessible.
New clients can meet with a provider within just a week of reaching out. If your busy schedules prevent you from attending in person, we also offer virtual opportunities through video chat. When you’re ready to take the next step, consider calling our office or using our online booking tool to find an appointment at Thriveworks Counseling in Greeley, CO.
