Why Couples Therapy?

 

Couples or marriage counseling is offered to support people in a relationship who may be experiencing conflict, considering separation or simply seeking improved communication, intimacy and understanding.  In couples counseling, the relationship is the focus, although each partner should also expect to focus on self-improvement and self-awareness.  I will work with your to identify your individual strengths and your strengths as a couple.

 

People seek counseling for any variety of reasons, from power struggles and communication problems to sexual dissatisfaction and infidelity. Though counseling is recommended as soon as discontent arises in a relationship, studies show that on average, partners will not seek therapy until they have been unhappy in the relationship for six years 

 

Couples therapy will address many aspects of the relationship, although communication tends to be the focus of relationship therapy. When partners repeatedly use conflict avoidance or engage in heated power struggles, communication problems ensue; resentment builds, and repairs are never made.  Counselors know that one of the first steps in improving a relationship is to teach each person how to regulate their emotions, stay calm, and use healthy communication skills to resolve problems new and old, and many partners see their communication improved as a result of counseling.

 

Research focusing on changes in marital satisfaction after therapy indicated that approximately 48% of couples demonstrated either improvement or full recovery in relationship satisfaction at five-year follow-up. Relationship deterioration resulted for 38% of couples and 14% remained unchanged.