Healthy relationships don’t just happen naturally. Maintaining a healthy relationship with your partner may require support in the form of couples therapy.
This article will explore what couples therapy is and where to find it. You will learn:
- What to expect in couples therapy
- What couples therapists do
- How to recognize the need for counseling
- Where to find couples therapy near you
If you are experiencing relationship challenges, you are not alone. Contact the Agapae Behavioral Health specialists to explore our therapy and mental health treatment programs. Reach out with questions, to verify insurance, or to schedule an intake appointment.
What is Couples Therapy?
Maintaining an intimate relationship with a partner can be challenging at times. At times, partners may struggle to communicate effectively. One or both partners may struggle with anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges. Partners may hurt one another with dishonesty, infidelity, and more.
Relationships can be challenging because people have very different experiences, needs, thoughts, and feelings. Maintaining a healthy relationship takes dedication, time, and patience. In some cases, it may mean seeking out couples counseling.
Like individual therapy, couples therapy can help people explore thoughts, experiences, and emotions. Couples or family counseling allows all members of a relationship to work to communicate more effectively.
Each couple’s goals in couples therapy are unique. However, counseling generally helps couples or family members learn how to work together to accomplish a common goal.
What Does a Couples Therapist Do?
Couples counselors have the training, experience, and licensure to provide counseling services to couples. They can evaluate, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions. Couples therapists can also provide therapy, education, and support to manage psychological distress that affects people in a partnership.
Couples therapists can identify and treat a variety of conditions, including:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Anger
- Grief
- Self-esteem issues
- Self-harm
Counselors get to know both partners and work with them to identify and solve problems. They may also provide education, resources, and referrals to other levels of care as needed.
Couples and family therapists may also provide:
- Diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions
- Individual, group, and family therapy
- Treatment plans
- Communication skills
- Interviews, observations, and diagnostic assessments for clients
- Referrals to other mental health services, as needed
Working with a couples therapist can help people identify a range of issues that can impact a partnership.
What to Expect in Couples Therapy
Couples counseling is a type of therapy that can help people in relationships explore feelings, recognize problems, and learn tools to resolve them.
The first step of couples counseling is to find a therapist. You can:
- Ask friends or family for recommendations
- Contact your insurance company to find a list of local therapists who accept insurance
- Research available options online
- Contact the intake specialists at Agape Behavioral Center for assistance
The first few counseling sessions may involve getting to know one another. Your therapist will likely ask questions or invite you to share your thoughts and feelings.
During couples counseling sessions, you will work with your licensed therapist to explore the unhealthy dynamics within your relationship. You and your partner will work to understand each other better. You may also learn how to set healthy boundaries within your relationship, communicate needs effectively, and more.
Agape Behavioral Center accepts many private insurance plans
Signs You Need Couples Therapy
A healthy partnership requires dedication and work from both people. While all relationships experience challenges over time, some problems may need the support of a couples counselor.
Here are some signs you and your partner may benefit from couples counseling.
Major life changes
The birth of a child, moving to a new location, a death in the family, and other stressors can strain a relationship. Couples counseling can help partners stay connected and committed no matter what is happening in their lives. Couples can learn to nurture their relationships while navigating life’s challenges.
Poor communication
Increased fighting, resentment, or unspoken needs are signs of poor communication within a relationship. A couples therapist can help partners express themselves safely and work to solve problems together.
Lack of intimacy
A lack of physical and emotional intimacy may be a sign of deeper issues within the relationship. Working with a counselor can help couples explore the rift between them and work towards a deeper level of intimacy within the relationship.
Broken trust
Substance abuse, infidelity, and other breaches of trust can create physical and emotional distance between partners. A couples counselor can help people express their hurt, guilt, and other feelings in a safe space. Then, partners can begin healing and rebuilding trust.
If you have been experiencing increased stress or strain in your relationship, counseling may help you get back on track. Couples don’t need to wait until a serious issue threatens their relationship to seek support. Every couple can benefit from learning how to communicate and work together more effectively.
Find Couples Therapy Near You
If you or someone you love needs the support of couples therapy, find the help you need at Agape Behavioral Center. Learn more about our programs or schedule an appointment by contacting our intake specialists today.
