Therapy 101: What to Expect When You Start Couples Therapy
People choose to engage in couples therapy for a variety of reasons.
You may feel that you and your partner have lost the intimate connection that you used to share, or you may have reoccurring issues that you just can’t seem to deal with or move on from. Whatever your reasons, it is likely that you may be feeling nervous or even intimidated, especially if you have no clear idea of what to expect.
Understanding more about what couples therapy entails, including what you will be required to do and what you can get out of it, can help you to be more prepared and feel more relaxed about your upcoming session. This will hopefully add to the overall success of the experience.
Our Approach to Couples Therapy in Wake forest, nC
There are many different approaches to couple therapy out there. However, while methods differ depending on the therapist, generally, the fundamental purpose is to discuss, highlight and foster your relationship’s strengths and identify the weaknesses and pain points with the hopes of resolving them.
In the initial session, you and your partner will likely meet with a relationships expert – usually a marriage and family therapist. The focus will be on helping the therapist to understand a little more about your specific relationship and how you interact with one another.
This will serve to help them understand the key issues and the strengths of your relationship to tailor the approach for a more successful outcome. At this point, they will likely ask you about your reasons for coming to therapy, how you see your problems, and what you are looking to get out of the sessions.
Following on from this, the therapist will probably want to meet with you and your partner separately. This allows them to get to know you on an individual basis and further develop the therapist-client relationship. Here you will usually talk a little about your history, hopes and expectations, relationship philosophy, and personal goals for treatment.
Understanding Gottman Method Couples Therapy
With the Gottman Couples Therapy Method, which is based on more than forty years of research with over 3,000 couples, at this stage, there is an additional assessment stage where each partner will be asked to complete the Gottman Relationship Check-up. You can learn more about this at https://checkup.gottman.com/couples
This mathematical tool applies a scientific-based approach to understanding the strengths and weaknesses of a particular relationship. It allows the therapist to provide you both with some initial feedback and informs both the therapeutic framework and future interventions.
At this time, you will also learn a little more about the methods that the therapist will be using. For example, with the Gottman Method, they will explain aspects of the Sound Relationship House, which outlines the seven principles for making marriage work based on the New York Times bestseller of that name by John Gottman. Interventions are designed to help couples strengthen their relationships in three primary areas: friendship, conflict management, and the creation of shared meaning.
What to Expect When Starting Couples Therapy
These first few sessions may feel a little uncomfortable; after all, you are letting a stranger into the inner workings of your life. However, many clients feel an immediate sense of relief and hope as they begin the process of creating a healthier relationship.
The early parts of therapy provide the groundwork on which to build successful solutions to issues that you may be having in your relationship. After this, the therapist will start to apply their specific techniques to the sessions based on the approaches they subscribe to.
You will need to keep in mind through the course of your sessions that this is by no means a quick fix method. Any changes and improvements will likely occur gradually and will require effort and focus from each partner. Effective couples therapy requires patience, dedication, and an open mind.
Begin Gottman Method Couples Therapy in Youngsville, NC, Wake Forst, NC, or Online in North Carolina
Couples therapy can support couples experiencing a wide variety of relationship issues. Our caring therapists would be honored to support you as you become more familiar with the therapy process. We offer support from our Wake Forest, NC-based therapy practice. To start your therapy journey, please follow these simple steps:
Meet with a caring therapist
Start improving your relationship!
Other Services Offered at My Therapist
Couples therapy isn’t the only service offered at our Wake Forest, NC-based practice. Our team also offers online therapy, family therapy, individual therapy for relationship issues, couples workshops, and couples intensive therapy. In addition, we also offer support through foundations of lasting love and AAMFT supervision. Read our blog to learn more about us and our services!
References
Lisitsa, E. (2018, August 02). The Sound Relationship House: Build Love Maps. Retrieved July 29, 2020, from https://www.gottman.com/blog/the-sound-relationship-house-build-love-maps/
The Gottman Method - About. (2019, March 11). Retrieved July 29, 2020, from https://www.gottman.com/about/the-gottman-method/