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Couples therapy can help two people strengthen their relationship and work through difficulties. In addition to discussion during therapy, games and exercises can be useful in prompting meaningful communication without resorting to argument. Couples can practice games and exercises at therapy sessions and at home between sessions.
Couple and family therapy focuses on clinical and mental health problems such as: depression, mood disorders, alcohol and drug addiction, sexual dysfunction and adolescent issues. This therapy is based on the idea that psychological issues affect not only the individual, but also the individual’s family, partner or spouse. The process involves intensive work with a therapist trained to treat couples and families in groups and one-on-one encounters.
Couples therapy is often considered in relationships that are troubled. Dealing with infidelity, lying, arguing or growing apart are reasons relationships may need some professional help. Some couples may look into counselling when there are not troubles at home, just as a way to increase positive communication skills.
Emotion Focused Therapy for couples is a newer method of therapy designed to help couples embrace their emotions--negative emotions included--and constructively share those feelings with each other to heal their relationship. Research on EFT is ongoing, however many couples who have gone through the therapy reported improvements and recovery of a healthy relationship with mutual respect.
Establishing and identifying goals is a fundamental aspect of couples therapy. For discontented, antagonistic, and unfocused couples, goals are a way to gain traction towards reconciliation. Goals can create a tangible structure for couples and therapists to follow. If a couple is particularly unstable and disorganized, counselors can ask them to describe one of each of the following goals per week, and ask them to enact them.
It can be very frustrating to go through life being miserable, yet many couples do. Couples therapy can be a great way to reconnect and get your relationship back on track. The trick is figuring out what kind of therapy is right for you.
Before any counseling sessions begin, a counselor should establish and discuss ground rules and legality involving couples counseling. Some states require you to report certain information such as spousal abuse or child abuse if it comes up in counseling. This is also the prime time to establish basic rules of counseling that may need to come into effect, such as prohibiting name-calling or physical acts of aggression. Counselors are there to help, but they should also establish their leadership roles in forthcoming sessions.
