What To Expect In Couples Therapy

If you are considering having couples therapy, there's a chance that you are having a few relationship difficulties. However, you don't need to be close to splitting up to have this type of therapy. Couples therapy is there to help you as a couple and as an individual. It can help your relationship to grow and develop in such a way that you are both happier.

Not many people know what to expect in couples therapy. They may think that they have to deal with their issues by confronting the other person in a negative manner. However, couples therapy is different as it helps you to explore your relationship in a safe, welcoming environment.

Every couples therapist works a little differently, but here's what most sessions look like.

Wondering about the cost of online couples therapy or if it's covered by insurance? Read our blog to learn more.

What Is Couples Therapy Like?

Couples therapy is quite different from many other types of therapy, because it works in a variety of ways. Many couples therapists start with a joint first session, so they can see what you're like together. The session also gives you both the opportunity to talk about those things that are troubling you.

In addition to speaking about any issues you might be having, your first session will also involve you talking about your future.

• Where do you see your relationship going, if anywhere?
• What would you like to achieve in order to find happiness or continue with the relationship?

You will be encouraged to speak openly and honestly in a safe and welcoming environment. You will not be under any pressure to talk about things that are hard to deal with right now. There will be time to deal with those issues, should you wish to deal with them.

Some therapists then see each partner individually. These individual sessions allow you to explore the relationship and how it impacts you. Your therapist will help you to talk openly and honestly about any difficulties that you might be having. These individual sessions also help your couples therapist get to know you as an individual rather than someone who is part of a couple, and they often focus on your family dynamics and upbringing.

After that, you'll usually come back together for joint sessions. In these sessions, you might be asked to talk about the relationship difficulties you're having.

You can also work on resolving the difficulties as a team so you can work towards a happier future together. Your therapist can help you both to walk away amicably if the relationship ends. In addition to this, they can teach you how to fare better in future relationships.

Facing Your Problems

Facing problems within a relationship can be hard. This is because they can have a huge impact on how happy you are. With your therapist's help, you can tackle some or all of your problems on your own and/or with your partner. Using tried and trusted techniques, a couples therapist can help you to deal with your problems in a less harmful way than you may be used to.

A good therapist will guide you at a pace that works for both of you.

If you are not yet ready to deal with some of your issues, you may still be given the tools and techniques required to deal with this. This is so that when the time is right, you can tackle them and have a more positive outcome.

Defining Your Goals As A Couple

It's important that you work to define your relationship's goals. Do you want to continue with the relationship? What does your ideal relationship look like? How can you realistically achieve your goals?

Right now, it might be unclear as to what your relationship goals are. This could be because you are struggling with the relationship as a whole. Alternatively, it could be because you're not sure what a happy relationship looks like. This is why it is important that you work closely with a therapist to understand what your goals could be, and how you can achieve them.

Do not worry, you will have the opportunity to choose your relationship goals. You will also have the opportunity to work on the goals and talk with your partner about them. At the same time, you will need to listen to your partner and understand what their goals are. For some, this can be hard, but it's a crucial part of understanding your partner and what they want.

Learning The Skills To Improve Your Relationship

A very important part of couples therapy involves learning new skills. These skills can help you to improve your relationship. Both parties will need to learn new skills so that they can communicate more effectively.

Some of the skills that you could be taught can include:

• Commitment – When you're in a long term relationship, you need to be committed to each other. However, you also need to protect and respect each other's boundaries. You can learn to be committed from one moment to the other, or in the relationship as a whole.
• Communication – This is one of the most important skills that you can learn. Being able to communicate effectively can make a real difference to your relationship. It can potentially make your relationship better than it ever has been.
• Conflict resolution – You could learn to deal with conflict in a new way that helps you to communicate how you're feeling.
• Empathy – Learning to be empathic or meet in the middle can help you to understand your partner more. It can even help you to see your partner's point of view, even if you don't agree with it or you see things differently.
• Love – You could learn all about the different types of love that can be found in a relationship. You could learn to occasionally put your partner first, when appropriate. You could also learn to be friends with your partner and enjoy each other's company. Finally, you could learn more about the attraction between you, and the initial spark that may have been lost.

Depending on your relationship and your willingness to work on it, you might be taught other skills. A couples therapist can teach you a range of skills that can help you both. With time and practice, these skills can seem natural to you and can help you both grow as a couple while finding happiness with each other.

How Couples Therapy Can Help

Now you know a little more about what to expect in couples therapy, which can help you decide whether it's right for you. A therapist can help you work on your relationship, or go your separate ways as amicably as possible.

If this sounds like what you need, the next step is finding a therapist you both feel comfortable with. Heal Your Roots Wellness is a directory of licensed therapists who run their own practices. Read more about couples therapy, or find a therapist and filter by state, specialty, and insurance. When you find someone who fits, send them a consultation request from their profile, and they'll follow up with you directly.