There are times in many relationships where you might feel like you need a little bit of help keeping your relationship on track. This is not something that you should be ashamed of, as it can happen to pretty much anyone and any relationship. After all, life was created many years ago, which has left plenty of time for people to be incredibly different. In other words, it is to be expected that you and your partner will have disagreements at times. You should keep in mind that there is help for this. Keep reading for information on couple's therapy, so you can tell if it may be something you'd like to try.
What is Couple's Therapy?
The idea of couple's therapy is not too complicated. It is a form of therapy where two people attend sessions, in most cases together, but at times a therapist may want to talk to you separately. It may also be known as couple therapy. When you are taking advantage of this type of therapy, a mental health professional can help you learn how to listen to and talk to your mate. This might be something that is an issue in your relationship. If there are other things that need to be worked out, there's a good chance that your therapist will be able to work with you on them also.
You have options when it comes to couple therapy as well. You are able to take advantage of it in an in-person setting, where you will meet with your doctor in person, or through an online setting, where you can be anywhere you'd like and communicate with a professional virtually, and at a time that is convenient for everyone.
When to Go
You should not use couple therapy as a last resort, especially if it seems like one person doesn't want to stay in the relationship. Instead, you should see a therapist when you have a strong foundation, but it may be a little bit shaky. Perhaps you have been arguing more than usual or you have trouble seeing your partner's point of view. Have a talk with your mate and determine if therapy is something that you both want to try. Then you can talk about how you want to approach the situation.
What to Expect
You should not expect a therapist to be able to fix all of the problems in your relationship. Since you will likely be learning how to communicate with each other better, this may be able to strengthen your relationship overall, where you can begin to work on any other small problems that are present.
When it comes to what you should expect, you must determine what you want to happen through the therapy. You should talk to your partner about this. In some instances, both parties are not interested in going to therapy. If this is the case, couple therapy is unlikely to work. However, if you both agree that you would like to make a change, this may be something that you want to utilize. It is a good idea to have a goal in mind of what you want to happen, and your mate should have one as well.
A 2018 study concluded that couple therapy may be able to increase intimacy and help a couple work through problems, even big problems. If this is something you are interested in, you may want to look into getting the help that you need. If you or your partner at any time determine that the treatment plan isn't working, you can stop seeing your therapist. However, if you do continue to see your therapist together, you may be able to note helpful changes in your relationship.
It is important to stick to the plan that a therapist suggests, even if it seems like it may not work. When both parties are willing to take the time to communicate and consider each other's feelings, you have a better chance of meeting your goals and strengthening your relationship.
Marie Miguel Biography
Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.
