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Couples
What is Couples or Marriage Counseling?
What is Couples or Marriage Counseling?
Couples counseling (also known as marriage counseling or relationship therapy) is a type of therapy that helps partners work through conflicts, improve communication, and strengthen their relationship. Whether you’re dating, engaged, married, or long-term partners, counseling provides a neutral space to explore challenges and rebuild connection.
Common Reasons Couples Seek Counseling:
Communication breakdown
Conflict and frequent arguing
Infidelity or trust issues
Emotional distance or disconnection
Parenting disagreements
Life transitions (e.g., new baby, job change, relocation)
Financial stress
Intimacy and sexual concerns
Premarital counseling
Benefits of Couples Counseling:
Improved communication and conflict resolution
Rebuilding trust and emotional intimacy
Strengthening commitment and connection
Better understanding of each partner’s needs and perspective
Developing tools to navigate future challenges together
What to Expect in Couples Counseling:
Sessions typically last 50–60 minutes.
Both partners are encouraged to share their perspectives honestly and respectfully.
The counselor acts as a neutral guide to help the couple understand patterns, improve communication, and work toward shared goals.
Techniques may be drawn from Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), the Gottman Method, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), or other evidence-based approaches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is couples counseling?
It’s therapy for two people in a relationship. A counselor helps you identify and address issues in communication, trust, or connection, and guides you toward healthier ways of relating.
2. Do we have to be married to come to couples counseling?
No. Couples counseling is for all types of relationships—married, dating, engaged, or in long-term partnerships.
3. Is couples counseling only for relationships in crisis?
Not at all. Many couples use counseling as a proactive way to strengthen their relationship, improve communication, or prepare for future stages like marriage or parenthood.
4. How long does couples therapy last?
This varies depending on your goals and the challenges you’re facing. Some couples attend a few sessions, while others continue for several months.
5. Will the counselor take sides?
No. The counselor is a neutral third party. They’re there to support both partners and help the relationship—not to judge or assign blame.
6. What if one partner is more willing to attend than the other?
That’s common. The counselor can help explore these concerns during the first session. Willingness often increases once both partners feel heard and safe.
7. What if we decide to separate?
Counseling isn’t only about staying together. It can also support couples in making healthy decisions, including respectful separation, if that’s the best path forward.
8. Is everything we say in couples counseling confidential?
Yes, with a few legal exceptions (like threats of harm). However, couples should be aware that some counselors have policies about sharing private individual disclosures made outside of joint sessions.
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