What to Expect in Couples/Relationship Therapy?

If you have read my bite-size blog post on individual therapy, you likely saw that therapy is hard work. This feels especially true for couples/relationship therapy. Not only are you working with your own issues and motivations, but with those of your partner(s) as well. Sometimes partners have shared goals, and sometimes they have disparate goals. Conflict tends to arise when goals are dissimilar or behaviors are incongruous with what one, both, or all partners are saying. Come to therapy with an open mind, and please know that if we mutually choose to work together, I will provide you with support in the form of both affirmation and challenges. Even though therapy can be difficult at times, it is important to work through the discomfort and make changes so that you get “unstuck”. At the beginning of couples/relationship therapy, I will ask each partner the following questions: What is the problem (or problems) as you see it (them)?; What does your partner do to contribute to the problem(s); What do you do to contribute to the problem(s); What are your strengths within the relationship; What are your partner’s strengths within the relationship?; What is my (the therapist’s) role in helping you to achieve your goals?