Friendship Counseling
Even the healthiest relationships take work. In fact, if anyone ever tells you they never disagree with their closest friends 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.
While disagreeing and argumentation are healthy, to a certain extent, 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 friendships can struggle when friends are unable to communicate and work through challenges.
That’s where a therapist can be helpful in addressing friendship-related issues, and our team of counselors is here to help. Keep reading to learn more about friendship counseling, and connect with the intake specialists at Symmetry Counseling to arrange your appointment.
What is Friendship Counseling?
Friendship counseling is a type of couples therapy facilitated by a licensed therapist who is experienced in working with a variety of relationships. While the structure of sessions will vary, in general, friendship counseling will involve the following:
- Identifying the specific problem (i.e. lack of trust, addiction, communication, dysfunction, etc.).
- Addressing the issues within the friendship, 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 Friendship Counseling?
Close friends of all kinds can benefit from counseling. There are many reasons why friends seek counseling together and it doesn’t necessarily mean their relationship is in trouble. Regardless of the reason, the key is for both friends 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 Friendship 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.
Friendship 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 clients 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 friendship 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 Friendship 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 people with a wide range of obstacles, including:
- Communication Difficulties
- Repairing and Rebuilding
- Conflict Resolution Skills
- Compatibility
- Financial Stress
Selecting a 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 relationships. Feel free to utilize our free 20-minute phone consultations to ensure that the therapist you choose will be a good fit for everyone. 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.
Get Support Through Friendship Counseling
At Symmetry Counseling, we’re here to help you. Contact us today to learn more about our counseling services, and to schedule an appointment with one of our compassionate therapists.