Life comes with its own set of challenges and adversities and we struggle to find that balance independently. And when we are with someone, preferably a partner, we then not only face our problems but also have to deal with theirs. Every couple has their own different set of personalities, beliefs, values, flaws, strengths and weaknesses. With those kind of similarities or differences that may come up, conflicts can happen a lot.
When this goes above the limit, Couple Therapy is something that both the partners can opt for to deal with those relationship challenges to help them resolve the issues individually as well as together as life partners.
Couples therapy is a type of therapy that focuses on improving communication and reducing miscommunication and resolving conflicts in romantic relationships. Couples therapy can be quite useful for all types of couples, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender or marital status.
Couple therapists are trained professionals that can support them to achieve certain goals that they have. It can range from premarital therapy to planning a family, day-to-day conflicts, doubts about intimacy, a couple therapist can offer support and guide the couple through this process. Researching and having that knowledge to find a trained professional nearby can be very helpful when one wants to seek those services with their partner as there are a lot of couple therapists and finding that one therapist for you that you feel the most comfortable and trustworthy can be a seamless process.
A couples therapist can help you with a lot of issues or challenges that they may be dealing with but not all of them are trained in everything. Some have their own specialty that they are experienced in treating and others might have specialty in something else. No matter what reason made you seek therapy, there are always various options available.
Here are some of the reasons/concerns that couples might seek therapy for:-
- Communication issues/ Miscommunication
- Lack of emotional intimacy
- Different values or morals
- Familial challenges
- Parental conflicts
- Family planning
- Infidelity
- Lying and trust issues
- Open relationships
- Life transitions
- Mental illness
- Financial conflicts
- Divorce or separation
- Grief/ Losing a loved one
- Traumatic experiences
Whatever there may be the reason that you seek therapy for, a couple can very well benefit from seeking help and support from a specialist. Doing your own research and asking around before narrowing it down can ensure you find the right one for you. Couples therapy can help you deal with not only severe relationship issues or a mental/emotional illness but also you can widely benefit from it if you are looking to improve or grow together as a couple and form better connection with each other and just want to get the correct guidance for it.
Having a professional therapist who is providing an absolutely safe and a non-judgmental space and be there by your side to share your vulnerable feelings and thoughts can definitely help you to consider every aspect and learn healthy communication skills, behavior strategies which are helpful and healthy for good connection and bond between the couple.
These are some of the ways as to How you can Find a Couples Therapist near you:-
- Getting referred by someone – Taking in recommendation from your friends/family can give us a sense of trust and authenticity in a therapist and motivate them to go for those therapy sessions with their partners and stay committed to resolve those issues.
- Searching online – Couples can search for therapists online regarding their concerns and type of therapists they wish to seek.
How does a Couples Therapy Session look like?
As soon as a therapist is finalized, that you and your partner agree to, you might be invited to a consultation or an in-person session. This session can be a paid one hour session or just a proper introduction with each other so that there is some level of comfort that is established.
During the first session, the therapist may ask you a few questions about your intentions for seeking therapy, what goals you want to set for the sessions going forward and the significant challenges/problems that you are going through in your relationship. The therapist might also suggest to meet with each partner individually as well and then together to understand why each partner is coming to therapy besides their mutual goals.
There might be some open-ended questions that might be asked to the partners to get to know about their personality, life, career, daily challenges etc for the therapist to get to know them better.
Questions that can be asked to the therapist
During the first session with your potential therapist, it is desirable to ask a few questions to the therapist to learn more about their approach and practice. Some of them are as follows:-
- What kind of techniques they might be using? – Each therapist has their own unique way of approaching to the treatment goals. Understanding those therapy techniques can help one make a conscious decision whether that therapist would be effective for their concerns.
- How much do they charge for each session? – its benefical to know before hand how much will each therapy session costs so that the partners can make a budget as to how many sessions do they need and if each session cost comes in their budget or not.
Its important to also know what kind of modalities does the therapist practices for a couples therapy session. Common forms of couples therapy are:-
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Family Therapy
- Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
Some qualities that one can look for in a couples therapist or any therapist in general are as follows:-
- Providing a safe space and an empathetic attitude – Couples therapy session can get intense so its important to have a therapist who can provide and create a safe and supportive environment for both the partners.
- Good communication skills – a trained and professional therapist should be able to listen actively, paying attention to details, communicate effectively and give honest feedback as and when required.
- Knowledge and training – It’s crucial that the therapist have experience in evidence-based couples therapy approaches.
Online therapy options
If you’re struggling to find a good couples therapist in your area that meets your requirements, online counseling can benefit you. With online counseling, you can find a couples therapist from anywhere. Online Platform such as Lets Get Happi is an app where a person can choose a therapist they want to take therapy from and it can absolutely be kept anonymous. Whatever is discussed in the counseling sessions between the therapist and the client is kept entirely confidential and discreet and there are a lot of things that one can explore on the app for a wholesome experience related to one’s mental health and emotional management.