Relationship/Couples Therapy

Are you having difficulty expressing oneself effectively?

Have you noticed more frequent conflict in your relationship?

Are the difficulties in your relationship you are struggling to resolve?

What is relationship and couples therapy?

Relationship therapy is a type of therapy that is specifically designed to address relationship problems, but it is not the only option. Depending on the nature of the problem, individual therapy, family therapy, or a combination of different types of therapy may be more appropriate.

Couples therapy can be effective for a wide range of relationship problems, such as communication difficulties, conflicts, trust issues, and intimacy problems. The therapist will work with both partners to identify the underlying issues and develop strategies to address them.

When should you seek help for relationship problems?

There are many types of relationship problems that can be addressed in therapy. Relationship problems can be complex and multifaceted, and a therapist can work with you to identify the specific issues that are impacting your relationship and develop a plan to address them.

Therapy for relationship problems can be individual therapy or couples therapy.

Below are some of the more common reasons people tend to engage in therapy for relationship problems. Do get in touch if you recognise some of the below problems in your relationship:

  • Communication problems: Difficulty expressing oneself effectively, or understanding what one's partner is trying to say.

  • Trust and intimacy issues: Difficulty building trust and intimacy in a relationship, or recovering from a betrayal.

  • Conflict resolution: Difficulty resolving conflicts, or patterns of avoiding or escalating conflicts.

  • Infidelity: Dealing with the aftermath of infidelity and rebuilding trust.

  • Emotional regulation: Difficulty managing emotions and dealing with emotional outbursts or feeling overwhelmed.

  • Relationship patterns: Difficulty breaking negative patterns that may have developed in a relationship, such as chronic criticism, defensiveness, or emotional distance.

  • Family problems: Difficulty dealing with family dynamics, or conflicts with in-laws.

  • Emotional, physical or sexual abuse: Helping to address the impact of abuse and work on healing the trauma.

  • Jealousy and possessiveness: Helping with jealousy and possessiveness issues.

  • Loneliness and isolation: Helping to address feelings of isolation and loneliness in a relationship.


What does a relationship / couples therapist do?

A relationship therapist, also known as a couples therapist, is a professional trained to help couples and individuals improve their relationships. They work with couples, individuals, and families to identify the underlying issues that are causing problems in a relationship and develop strategies to address them.

A relationship therapist will typically assess the current state of the relationship and identify the specific issues that need to be addressed. They will then work with the individuals involved to help them understand the dynamics of the relationship and how to improve communication, trust, and intimacy.

Some of the specific things a relationship therapist may do include:

  • Helping couples to identify and change negative patterns of behaviour

  • Teaching couples effective communication and problem-solving skills

  • Helping couples to understand and manage their emotions

  • Assessing and addressing power imbalances within the relationship

  • Helping couples to identify and overcome trust issues

  • Helping couples to identify and overcome intimacy problems

  • Facilitating forgiveness and healing after infidelity

  • Helping couples to plan for and navigate major life transitions, such as marriage, parenthood, or retirement


Don’t wait until your relationship is in crisis

Couples therapy is not just for couples in crisis, it's also a good way to prevent a crisis by working on any problems that might arise in the future. Early intervention can prevent minor problems from becoming major issues. Relationship therapists can help couples identify and address problems before they become entrenched and difficult to resolve.

Therapy can help couples improve communication and problem-solving skills. By learning to communicate effectively and resolve conflicts in a healthy way, couples can prevent many potential problems from arising in the first place.

Intimacy and emotional connection can be improved within couples therapy. By working on trust and intimacy, couples can strengthen their bond and reduce the likelihood of problems arising in the future.

Therapy can also help couples navigate major life transitions such as new baby, a career change, or retirement, in a way that supports the relationship. Additionally, therapy can help couples to identify and change negative patterns of behaviour, which can improve the overall health and well-being of the relationship. It is a proactive way of maintaining a healthy relationship, and can help couples identify and address problems before they become critical.

It is important to note that couples therapy can be beneficial for all types of relationships, from romantic partnerships, to parent-child relationships, friendships, and more.


What types of therapy is best for addressing relationship problems?

The best therapy for relationship problems will depend on the specific issues that are impacting the relationship and the preferences of the individuals involved. It's always best to consult with a qualified therapist or counselor to determine the most appropriate type of therapy for your unique situation.

Cognitive Behavioural therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that can be used to address a wide range of relationship problems, by helping individuals to identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviours that contribute to the problem.

Emotionally Focused therapy (EFT) is another type of therapy that can be effective in addressing relationship problems. EFT is based on attachment theory and focuses on helping couples to improve emotional connection and intimacy in their relationship.

Systemic therapy, also known as family therapy, can be used to address relationship problems within a family system. This type of therapy can help families to identify patterns of behaviour that contribute to the problem and to develop new ways of interacting that can improve relationships.

The Gottman Method is a research-based approach to couples therapy that focuses on the enhancement of emotional connection and intimacy, the effective management of conflicts, and the creation of shared meaning.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a form of therapy that helps individuals to focus on the present moment and to accept difficult thoughts and feelings without trying to change them. This can be helpful in couples work by helping individuals to accept their partner's perspective and to understand their own thoughts and feelings without getting caught up in conflict.

Mindfulness practices, such as meditation and deep breathing, can also be used in couples work. Mindfulness can help couples to focus on the present moment and to be more aware of their own thoughts and feelings, which can improve communication and emotional regulation.

Narrative therapy is an approach that views people as the experts of their own lives and emphasizes the role of language and storytelling in shaping our understanding of our experiences. It helps couples to reframe their relationship problems as separate from themselves and to create a new narrative of their relationship.

Solution-Focused Brief therapy (SFBT) is a goal-oriented approach that helps couples to identify and work towards solutions, rather than dwelling on problems. It is a short-term approach that helps couples to identify and achieve specific goals.


My Therapist Online can help you find the right therapist for your relationship needs.

At My Therapist Online, we listen to the problems you are facing and match you with the right therapist for your individual needs. You can meet with them for a free initial consultation to be sure it is a good match before starting your therapy.

  • The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work - by John Gottman: This book is based on the research of Dr. John Gottman and presents a scientifically-based approach for couples to improve their relationship. It provides practical tools and strategies for couples to enhance their communication skills, increase intimacy, and resolve conflicts.









  • How to Improve Your Marriage Without Talking About It - by Patricia Love and Steven Stosny

    This provides a unique approach for couples to improve their relationship by focusing on actions rather than words. It covers topics such as understanding the unconscious patterns of behaviour that can harm a relationship and how to change them

  • Dianne McCormick - Clinical Psychologist - Has written a brilliant article about what to expect from couples therapy, do click on this link to read it.


  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Couples: A Practical Guide - by Frank D. Fincham and Steven R. H. Beach: This book provides a comprehensive guide for couples to improve their relationship using CBT techniques. It covers key topics such as communication, problem-solving, and emotional regulation, and provides practical exercises and strategies for couples to apply in their own relationship.



Recommended Reading for Relationship problems








  • The Art of Loving - by Erich Fromm.

    This classic book is written by a renowned psychoanalyst and philosopher, it explores the nature of love, the barriers to it, and how to overcome them. It covers key topics such as the different types of love, the obstacles to loving, and how to develop the capacity for loving.






  • We want to make access to the right books easy - so we are an Amazon Associate. We earn a small amount from purchases







    We make finding the right therapist easy.

At My Therapist Online, we listen to the problems you are facing and match you with the right therapist for your individual needs. You can meet with them for a free initial consultation to be sure it is a good match before starting your therapy.



 
 

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