Couples Therapy
Couples Therapy
Couples therapy can address a wide range of relationship issues, including recurring conflicts, feelings of disconnection, an affair, issues related to sex, or difficulties due to external stressors.
Types of Couple Therapy:
- Emotionally focused therapy (EFT): EFT focuses on improving the attachment and bonding between you and your partner. The therapist helps you understand and change patterns that lead to feelings of disconnection.
- Gottman method: This method involves addressing areas of conflict and equipping you and your partner with problem-solving skills. It aims to improve the quality of friendship and the level of intimacy between you and your partner.
- Ellen Wachtel’s approach: This is a strength-based approach that involves focusing on the positive aspects of the relationship. It focuses on self-reflection rather than blame.
- Psychodynamic couple’s therapy: Psychodynamic therapy explores the underlying hopes and fears that motivate you and your partner, to help you understand each other better.
- Behavioral therapy: Also known as behavioral couples therapy (BCT), this form of therapy involves shaping behavior by reinforcing positive behaviors that promote stability and satisfaction, while discouraging behaviors that foster negativity.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT):Also referred to as cognitive behavioral couples therapy (CBCT), this form of therapy involves identifying and changing thought patterns that negatively influence behavior.
Couples therapy can give you and your partner the opportunity to discuss and resolve issues related to several aspects of your relationship
- Roles in the relationship
- Beliefs and values
- Finances
- Time spent together
- Children
- Familial relationships
- Sex and intimacy
- Health issues
- External stressors
These are some of the strategies a couple’s therapist might employ:
- Getting to know you
- Identifying feelings
- Exploring the past
- Focusing on solutions
- Teaching skills
These are some of the benefits couples therapy can offer:
- Understand each other better
- Identify relationship issues
- Improve communication skills
- Resolve conflicts
- Strengthen friendship and attachment
- Terminate dysfunctional behavior
- Learn skills
- Improve relationship satisfaction