Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Couples Therapy?Types of Couples TherapyTechniquesWhat Couples Therapy Can Help WithBenefitsEffectivenessThings to ConsiderHow to Get Started
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Couples Therapy?
Types of Couples Therapy
Techniques
What Couples Therapy Can Help With
Benefits
Effectiveness
Things to Consider
How to Get Started
Close
Couples therapy is a form ofpsychotherapythat can help you and your partner improve your relationship. If you are having relationship difficulties and want to help rebuild your relationship, or even if you just want to take preventative measures to protect your current relationship, you can seek couples therapy. It is helpful at any stage of your relationship, regardless of your marital status.
“Couples therapycan address a wide range of relationship issues, including recurringconflicts, feelings of disconnection, an affair, issues related to sex, or difficulties due to external stressors,” saysBrian Mueller, PhD, a psychologist at Columbia University Medical Center who specializes in couples therapy.
TL;DRIf you and your partner are going through arough patch, couples therapy can help you work on your relationship. Your therapist can help you express your feelings, discuss issues with your partner, and resolve conflicts.Couples therapy can help increase understanding, respect, affection, and intimacy between you and your partner, which can help you be happier together.
TL;DR
If you and your partner are going through arough patch, couples therapy can help you work on your relationship. Your therapist can help you express your feelings, discuss issues with your partner, and resolve conflicts.Couples therapy can help increase understanding, respect, affection, and intimacy between you and your partner, which can help you be happier together.
If you and your partner are going through arough patch, couples therapy can help you work on your relationship. Your therapist can help you express your feelings, discuss issues with your partner, and resolve conflicts.
Couples therapy can help increase understanding, respect, affection, and intimacy between you and your partner, which can help you be happier together.
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According to Mueller, there are numerous approaches to couples therapy, which can include:
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Couples therapists often employ an integrated approach to treatment, borrowing techniques from different forms of therapy depending on your needs.
These are some of the strategies a couples therapist might employ:
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Couples therapy can give you and your partner the opportunity to discuss and resolve issues related to several aspects of your relationship, which can include:
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Benefits of Couples Therapy
“People report feeling more connected to their partner and their own feelings, as well as more secure, spontaneous, and playful in the relationship. When people feel more secure in their relationship, they can become more assertive and adventurous in other parts of their life,” says Mueller.
Brain Mueller, PhDBenefits of couples therapy include reduced relationship distress and increased relationship satisfaction.
Brain Mueller, PhD
Benefits of couples therapy include reduced relationship distress and increased relationship satisfaction.
These are some of the benefits couples therapy can offer:
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According to a 2014 summary,couples therapy can help with relationship satisfaction, communication, forgiveness, problem solving, and resolution of needs and feelings.
Emotionally focused therapy (EFT) particularly has strong research support across a wide range of concerns, according to Mueller. He says numerous studies have shown that couples who receive eight to 12 sessions of EFT report reduced distress and increased relationship satisfaction for both partners, with benefits lasting even two years after treatment.
Couples therapy ideally requires participation from you and your partner. However, if your partner is not open to it, you can also opt to do couples therapy alone, to better understand your relationship and how you can improve it.
If you and your partner undertake it together, you may find that one or both of you also need separate therapy sessions to help deal with the individual issues brought up in couples therapy.
If you or your partner are also dealing with other issues, likesubstance abusefor instance, your therapist might suggest specialized therapy for treatment.
If you or a loved one are a victim of domestic violence, contact theNational Domestic Violence Hotlineat1-800-799-7233for confidential assistance from trained advocates.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
If you or a loved one are a victim of domestic violence, contact theNational Domestic Violence Hotlineat1-800-799-7233for confidential assistance from trained advocates.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
If you feel your relationship would benefit from couples therapy, discuss it with your partner and see if they’re open to it. If they’re resistant to it, explain why it’s important to you and how you think it might help your relationship.
Check with your partner what days and timings work for them. Try to find a therapist who is conveniently located, if you and your partner prefer in-person sessions; you can also findonline couples therapistsandcouples therapy platforms like Talkspace.
Be aware that most insurance plans don’t cover couples therapy, but check with your provider or online therapy platform to see if they accept insurance.
When you start therapy, you and your partner will probably have to fill out forms detailing your medical history. You may also have to fill out questionnaires to help your therapist better understand your relationship, the issues you’re facing, and what you hope to gain from therapy.
Your therapist will work with you and your partner to outline the goals for therapy. While couples therapy typically involves joint sessions, your therapist may also do individual sessions with you or your partner. They may also assign homework.
If you think couples therapy could be helpful for you and your partner, don’t wait - find a couples therapist today.
Get Help NowWe’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Find out which option is the best for you.
Get Help Now
We’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Find out which option is the best for you.
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1 SourceVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health.Couples therapy for adults experiencing relationship distress: a review of the clinical evidence and guidelines. 2014.
1 Source
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health.Couples therapy for adults experiencing relationship distress: a review of the clinical evidence and guidelines. 2014.
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health.Couples therapy for adults experiencing relationship distress: a review of the clinical evidence and guidelines. 2014.
Hannah Owens, LMSW
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