Couples Counseling
Even the most loving and healthy relationships take work. In fact, if anyone ever tells you they never disagree with their spouse and everything is perfect all the time, you should take it with a grain of salt. If this is true, it indicates that they aren’t really talking about their issues, and beneath that perfect illusion may lurk some deeper problems that aren’t being addressed.
To a certain extent, disagreeing and argumentation are healthy, but it’s how we recover and behave after a conflict that matters and creates long-lasting effects. Even though every relationship will have its ups and downs, many couples feel ashamed when they’re having relational problems. They may have the impression that because they love each other, sharing a life together should be easy, but this simply isn’t true as typically, nothing worth having comes to us easily.
What is Couples Counseling?
- Couples counseling is a type of therapy facilitated by a licensed therapist who is experienced in working with couples; most often they are a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). While the structure of sessions will vary from therapist to therapist and couple to couple, in general, couples therapy will involve the following:
- Identifying the specific problem (i.e. lack of trust, infidelity, addiction, sexual dysfunction, etc.).
- Addressing the issues within the relationship, not with the separate individuals.
- A solution-focused approach that requires change from both parties.
- Clearly laid-out goals for treatment.
- Effective communication skills.
How Could We Benefit from Couples Therapy?
Couples of all kinds can benefit from counseling, whether they are married or dating, young or old, or members of the LGBTQ community (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning). There are many reasons why people seek couples counseling and it doesn’t necessarily mean their relationship is in trouble. Some couples choose to seek counseling before they get married to ensure they are communicating in a healthy way. That being said, many other couples put off going to therapy together until their relationship has essentially already ended. The key is for both partners to be invested in the future success of the relationship and open to changing the way they interact with each other.
What Should We Expect from Couples Counseling?
Sessions revolve around pragmatic approaches to strategically address and resolve issues clients bring to therapy. We help you identify your struggles, understand why past efforts in addressing these difficulties may have been ineffective, and develop alternative solutions.
Couples counseling sessions at Symmetry are conducted in a supportive, empathetic, and hopeful environment where you are free to discuss whatever is on your mind and weighing on your hearts. Symmetry’s therapists are skilled specialists, with the training and knowledge to help couples create lasting changes in their relationships. We are confident that the time to fix the roof is when the sun is shining. Thus, we don’t need to wait for things to fall apart before seeking couples counseling. We believe in the life-enhancing benefits of strong and vital relationships, and help you bring peace and resolution to your struggles.
Reasons to Seek Couples Counseling
Our licensed psychologists, marriage and family therapists, professional counselors, and social workers, adopt a direct, engaged, and active approach and are trained to help couples with a wide range of obstacles, including:
- Communication Difficulties
- Repairing and Rebuilding
- Conflict Resolution Skills
- Infertility
- Infidelity
- Newlywed Adjustment
- Pre-Marital and Pre-Cohabitation Counseling
- Pregnancy and Post-Baby Couples Counseling
- Parenting
- Adoption
- Divorce
- Sexual Difficulties
- Sexual Compatibility
- Financial Stress
- Navigating LGTBQ Relationships
Selecting a Couples Therapist
A therapist that you can build rapport with is crucial to the success of counseling. First, it’s important to see a counselor who is specially trained in relationship counseling. Many of our counselors here at Symmetry specialize in couples therapy. Feel free to utilize our free 20-minute phone consultations to ensure that the therapist you choose will be a good fit for both you and your partner. Discuss what qualities and specializations each of you would feel most comfortable opening up to so you can make an informed decision on what’s best for your relationship together.