What Is The Goal of Couples Therapy?
Some Common Goals of Effective Couples/Relationship Therapy
To help couples/dyads have a different sort of conversation (Improving Healthier, Assertive Communication)
Not yelling and screaming at each other
To be more open and vulnerable vs. avoiding having difficult conversations outside of session
To address the couple/dyad/relationship as a unit/system (To Work With Both People)
The couple/dyad is the client
Not aligning/siding with one partner over the other
To have a mediator for difficult and challenging conversations (Resolving Conflicts Effectively)
Therapists are not judges
We are sometimes coaches and teachers
You can look to us to mediate and parse out what is going on
Increasing Compassion & Understanding
Responding with more care and love
Listening with an open heart
Listening to understand vs. listening to interrupt
Being right vs. being in a relationship
Increasing Awareness & Insight
Understanding why I do what I do
Understanding why my partner does what they do
Understanding each other’s perspectives and points of views
Better understanding into cycles, dynamics, and patterns
What To Expect From Your Couples Therapist
You can expect me to:
Listen to both of you and not take sides
Show up on time
Be present
Actively listen
Intervene when necessary
Offer you my perspective on where you get stuck
Offer you skills and new ways to relate to one another
Inquire and ask for feedback regarding our work together
My job as a therapist in session is to:
Facilitate and improve your communication
Attempt to shift and change inflexible roles, rituals, and rules
Reduce emotional reactivity to reflectivity
Understand and disrupt your stuck points and where you tend to fight, have conflict, and moments of tension
Provide you healthy skills and tools
Provide you knowledge and education of what may be happening