Bradley.edu says, “Counseling has become such a common activity for couples that about 44 percent of couples who get married today go to marriage counseling before they even tie the knot”. In relationships, couples counseling has proven to be tremendously effective for many. Are you curious about couples counseling? Perhaps, even considering it? Keep on reading!
GoodTherapy.org describes Couples Counseling as follows, “A form of therapy that supports people in intimate relationships,” and, “While the relationship itself is the focus in marital/relationship counseling, each partner is expected to pay attention to self-improvement and self-awareness.” (GoodTherapy.org)
When To Consider Pursuing Couples Counseling
Psychology Today & GoodTherapy.org lists:
Approaches To Couples Counseling (From GoodTherapy.org)
How Couples Counseling Works
Above are some of the approaches utilized in couples counseling, but to simplify the goals and process, see below (From TalkSpace.com):
“Helps people involved in a romantic relationship gain insight into their relationship, resolve conflict, and improve relationship satisfaction utilizing a variety of therapeutic interventions. Although the practice of behavioral couples therapy may vary depending on the therapist’s theoretical orientation, all couples therapy tends to involve the following general elements: (1) A focus on a specific problem (i.e. sexual difficulties, Internet addiction, intimacy, jealousy). (2) Active participation on the part of the therapist in treating the relationship itself, rather than each individual separately. (3) Solution-focused, change-oriented interventions early on in treatment. (4) A clear establishment of treatment objectives.”
If you’ve read this article + done some of your own research and are interested in pursuing counseling with your partner, here are two key components that you should expect in the first session. (1) You will be answering questions from the therapist to gain insight and (2) setting goals for the course of therapy (RestorationsTherapy.com).
Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates is a St. Louis mental health therapy practice in Creve Coeur, Missouri. The practice has a team of mental health therapists who provide therapy and counseling services to kids, teens, adults, couples, and families. Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates specializes in stress, anxiety, depression, relationships, and other mental health related issues and concerns.
The practice can be reached by phone at: 314-942-1147, by email at: bryan@stlmentalhealth.com or on the web at: www.STLmentalhealth.com. The office is located at: 655 Craig Road, Suite 300, St. Louis, MO 63141.
