Couples counselling is a term applied to talk therapy for two people within a relationship and look to improve communication and resolve presenting issues.
Common relationship problems explored:
There are many different concerns that may bring you to couples counselling, ranging from a lack of communication, right through to a betrayal or affair. Some common issues that can be explored through couples counselling include:
- Lack of trust
- Betrayal or affair
- Jealousy
- Lack of communication
- Financial issues
- Work-related stress
- Different sexual needs or other sexual issues
- Family conflicts
- Different goals and values
- Different parenting styles
- Life changes.
In regards to the techniques used, some of the work you do will take place within your counselling sessions themselves—however, I will also ask you to carry out ‘homework’. For example, I will ask you either to do a task or discuss something specific when you get home. During your next session you will get the chance to talk about your homework, discuss any challenges you came up against and how the experience made you both feel. However, it is important to remember that I am non-directive and will not tell you how to behave or feel. Therefore, I will not offer a personal opinion and you will not be told whether or not you should or should not separate. My role as a counsellor is to facilitate change and resolution by helping you both communicate more effectively and reach your own conclusions under the guidance of a professional.
While couples counselling is ideally suited to couples attending the sessions together you may find it helpful to combined couple sessions with individual sessions.
The overall aim of couples counselling is to help you do the following:
- Understand how external factors such as family values, religion, lifestyle and culture affect your relationship.
- Reflect on the past and how it operates in the present.
- Communicate in a more constructive way.
- Learn why arguments escalate.
- Negotiate and resolve conflicts where possible.