Relationships can be complicated and every couple has its fair share of ups and downs, no matter how much they love each other. One partner may be going through a difficult time with a mental illness, addiction, or the death of a loved one. Money problems may be interfering with your happiness. A major life transition, such as a move to another city, might be making things particularly difficult.
Most day-to-day problems are easy enough to overcome on your own. But every so often, relationships must contend with issues that aren’t so easily smoothed out. You may be too close to the problem to see what’s causing it and how to resolve it. Or you simply might benefit from some support and guidance from a trained professional.
Couples counseling is more common than you might think. Stories abound of celebrities going to couples therapy to help resolve conflict and take their relationship to the next level. Neil Patrick Harris and his husband, David Burtka, have opened up publicly about how helpful talking to a couples counselor has been in mediating disagreements and offering a neutral perspective. Even former President Obama and the first lady went to marriage counseling to help them through tough times.
Maintaining a happy relationship requires hard work — and sometimes, a little extra guidance can go a long way. If you think you would benefit from speaking to a licensed marriage and family therapist, give us a call at Thriveworks in San Rafael, CA. Our couples therapists can help you overcome your problems, improve your communication skills, and strengthen your relationship.
Common Reasons People Seek Out Relationship Counseling
There are many reasons couples seek out relationship counseling services, including the following:
- Lack of trust
- Lack of communication
- Lack of intimacy
- Anxiety, depression, or another mental disorder
- Addiction or substance abuse
- Money issues
- Child-rearing disagreements
- Arguments that never seem to resolve
- Separation or divorce
- Premarital counseling
- Death of a loved one
- Major life changes
If you are dealing with an issue that’s affecting your relationship, Thriveworks in San Rafael, CA is here to help. Consider scheduling an appointment with one of our couples counselors to get started.
How Does Couples Counseling Work?
If you have never tried couples counseling before, you may be uncertain as to what to expect.
At its core, counseling is an opportunity for you and your partner to discuss your issues in a safe and confidential environment under the guidance of a licensed professional. Having a neutral and objective perspective can be invaluable when finding new solutions to old problems or working collaboratively to move past issues that you haven’t been able to resolve on your own.
When starting therapy, your couples therapist will first aim to get a better understanding of your relationship and the underlying issues that may be causing your unhappiness.
From there, they will help guide you through the most appropriate course of treatment. In many instances, some form of talk therapy will be used to help work through the issues that are causing distress. Some of the most common forms of couples therapy include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- The Gottman Method
- Discernment counseling
- Emotion-focused therapy (EFT)
- Narrative therapy
- Imago relationship therapy
Talk therapy is helpful because it encourages open communication between partners in a way that is structured to solve problems and rebuild connection, rather than foster disagreement and resentment.
If you’re ready to see what our couples therapy services can do for your relationship, contact our team at Thriveworks in San Rafael, CA. We look forward to working with you.
Schedule Couples Therapy at Thriveworks in San Rafael, CA
When you call Thriveworks in San Rafael, CA, you’ll get access to unparalleled appointment flexibility including sessions in the early morning, in the evenings, and even on weekends. In fact, new clients can often meet with a couples therapist within 1-2 days of reaching out. We also provide remote therapy appointments via phone calls or video chats so you and your partner can take appointments from home if in-person sessions are inconvenient or unfeasible.
We also accept health insurance and offer clients the ability to easily reschedule appointments with 23.5 hours’ notice. If something comes up in the middle of the week, clients can also reach their therapist by phone or email. You will have access to our counselor-moderated online discussion groups, the Therapy Buddy app, and a library of educational videos to help supplement your sessions.
If you are having problems in your relationship, it can really take a toll on your happiness. Thriveworks in San Rafael, CA has licensed therapists and counselors who can help you get your relationship back on track. When you’re ready to make a change, click or call to schedule your first appointment. You can thrive — we can help.
