Couples Counseling in a Nutshell
If you’re a millennial in a relationship that is facing new challenges, you are not alone. Making important life decisions as a couple in your 20s and 30s is complicated, whether you’re deciding to move in together, get engaged, have a baby, or simply slow the pace and give each other some time to reflect and grow. Improving communication and effectively working through conflict will help you resolve these challenges. If you are thinking about starting couples counseling, read this post to learn what it’s like.
What is couples counseling?
Couples counseling is counseling (also known as therapy) that focuses on the issues that a couple is facing, in contrast to individual counseling, which focuses on one person’s problems, and in contrast to family therapy, which focuses on the family unit. In couples counseling, your therapist will help you as a couple to identify your interaction patterns and explore how you each contribute to your dynamic. Through counseling you can learn how to resolve current difficulties you’re having as a couple.
Why meet with a couples counselor?
Couples therapy is a useful treatment for coping with problems and learning new strategies for resolving issues. Couples counselors are licensed professionals who are skilled at listening and helping you find solutions to your problems in a nonjudgmental, confidential setting. They have expertise in helping couples explore their thoughts and feelings about their relationship, without siding with one partner or the other.
What topics will we cover?
It’s important that you BOTH feel safe and comfortable with the therapist that you choose (see this post on how to find the right therapist for you). Over time, the goal is to feel safe enough to explore any topic that is on your minds. Common topics in couples counseling are communication, decision-making, empathy, conflict resolution, sexual intimacy, affairs, and trust building. No topic is off-limits.
How long will we be in counseling and how often are sessions?
Short-term couples counseling typically is 6-12 sessions. Long-term counseling may take place for multiple years. Typically, couples counseling sessions range from 45-90 minutes and take place on a weekly basis. Over time, the frequency may decrease to biweekly or monthly, depending on the couple’s needs and goals. Some couples choose to meet with their counselor on a biweekly or monthly basis over many years because it provides an opportunity to have relationship check-ins, it provides refreshers for relationship-building skills, and it identifies areas for growth.
If you’re interested in scheduling an appointment or you’d like more information, please call us at 1-844-QLC-TALK (1-844-752-8255) or email us here
