What is Couples Therapy?
Couples Therapy also known as Couples Counselling, Marriage or Relationship Therapy, provides a safe, structured environment for open and constructive communication and problem-solving. Working together I want to give couples the opportunity to focus on their relationship and support them in strengthening their relationship, issues or help them to make informed decisions about the future of their partnership.
Couples therapy typically involves joint sessions with both partners, however, individual sessions may also be required depending on the specific circumstances. This will be discussed during the first couples therapy session. During the sessions, couples will be encouraged to openly express their thoughts and feelings. As your therapist, I will provide guidance, support, and techniques to help improve communication, understanding, and overall relationship satisfaction.
The Goal of Couples Therapy
The primary goal of couples therapy is to help couples address and overcome issues and challenges within their relationship. These issues may include:
- communication problems
- conflicts
- infidelity
- intimacy and sexual issues
- trust issues, and more.
As your therapist I will work with you and your partner to identify the underlying causes of any problems and develop strategies to address them.
Key Aspects of Couples Counselling
Here are some key aspects of couples counselling:
Communication: A significant part of couples counselling involves improving communication between partners. Working together, I will help you learn effective ways to express thoughts and feelings, as well as listening to and understanding your partner’s perspective.
Conflict resolution: Couples often seek counselling to learn how to resolve conflicts more constructively. As your counsellor I will teach you couples conflict resolution techniques, such as active listening, compromise, and finding common ground.
Identifying issues: Couples counselling helps couples identify and address the underlying issues that may be causing problems in the relationship. These issues can range from financial concerns and intimacy problems to differences in values and goals.
Improving intimacy: Intimacy and emotional connection are crucial aspects of any relationship. I will work with you to enhance your emotional and physical intimacy, with the goal to rekindling your connection.
Building trust: Trust is fundamental in any relationship. Couples counselling can help couples address trust issues, whether they stem from past betrayals or other factors, and rebuild trust through open and honest communication.
Setting goals: Together we can set goals for your relationship. This could involve defining what a successful relationship means to each partner and establishing steps to work toward those goals.
Education and skill-building: Couples counselling may involve teaching partners new skills to improve their relationship. This may include communication skills, problem-solving techniques, or strategies for managing stress.
Preventative counselling: Some couples seek counselling as a preventative measure, aiming to address minor issues before they escalate into more significant problems.
How long is a Couples Counselling session?
Couples counselling or couples therapy, typically involves regular sessions of 1 hour a week however this may vary depending on the specific needs and issues of the couple. I recommend couples keep to regular session times, once a week, or once a fortnight.
In the first session (initial) we will go through some administration outlining how to will work together. We will explore your relationship together in a safe, non-judgemental environment and decide upon shared goals for your couples therapy which we will work together towards.
Couple counselling may feel difficult and conflicting at times, by working through issues in counselling, your relationship has the opportunity to really grow which will help you move forwards together.
It is important for both partners to be willing to participate and be open to the process for it to be most effective.
Finding a Couples Counsellor?
I offer Couples Counselling / Couples Therapy in Fleet, Hampshire face to face from my Counselling Cabin. I am an experienced counsellor and here to support you and your partner.
Contact me to book an initial session. For full details of my prices please see my FAQ and Prices page.
In a mental health emergency please contact 999.