Couple conflicts are not rare because no two people think or see the world in the same way. As a result, mastering conflict resolution skills becomes crucial, which is where couple therapies come in. A counsellor can assist in analysing the partners’ behavioural patterns to find those that fuel conflict. Couples that seek counselling jointly can better focus on themselves.
Numerous difficulties and challenges might arise in a relationship for a couple. According to therapists, the foundation of a successful relationship is being able to communicate issues with the spouse in an effective way. A couple that communicates well will understand one another better. In the event that the couple is unable to communicate, the counsellor will serve as a mediator and encourage productive and healthy conversation. By breaking bad communication habits like continually interrupting one other or talking too much without allowing the other partner react, the couple can start to communicate better after treatment. Counseling for couples can assist partners in identifying and confronting underlying concerns.
What is counselling for couples issues?
- In couple counselling, between 75% to 80% of couples reported feeling better about their union.
- After 5–6 years of disagreements, the average couple will seek online couples counselling.
- Couple therapy is not only for serious problems like infidelity or violence, but also to increase relationship satisfaction. Although the partner is not the issue, his or her cognition or behaviour pattern may be.
- Individual treatment is not required prior to couple therapy.
What Leads to Counselling for Couple Issues?
- Unrealistic demands made by your partner.
- Jealousy, dishonesty, lying, obfuscation, and other questionable behaviour.
- Unmet needs, unhappiness, and taking things for granted.
- Parents, in-laws, or other relatives interfering.
Couples therapy advantages
A few benefits of online couples counselling include the following:
- You and your partner can learn more about one another through couples therapy. It will assist you in communicating your feelings, anxieties, preferences, convictions, and values.
- Your therapist can help you and your partner uncover issues that result in ongoing arguments, a lack of trust, and feelings of separation.
- You and your partner can improve your communication skills with the help of couples counselling. It will enable you to communicate your needs and feelings without berating or blaming your partner.
- Your therapist might be able to provide conflict resolution and problem-solving assistance to you and your partner.
- Couples therapy can improve your relationship with your partner and your friendship.
Types of couple therapies:
If the couple wants to face and confront their issues, both partners must be willing to participate in couple counselling. Couple therapy uses a variety of approaches, and which one is best depends on the couple’s relationship goals. Here are 5 worldwide accepted couple therapies used by renowned psychologists.
Gottman Method
The effects of negativity in relationships are taken into account in this therapy approach. When arguing or in other stressful situations, approaching your partner with a positive outlook might help you stay more composed and empathic. The Gottman Method can help partners who are having difficulties at any stage of the relationship, as well as those who have particular issues with money, parenting, sex, or adultery. It aids in the development of conflict resolution skills in relationships and is successful in same-sex relationships as well as those between people of various racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and religious backgrounds.
Narrative Therapy
For couples who believe that both of them are to blame for the breakdown of their relationship, this approach may be useful. People tell tales about their difficulties and then rewrite them as part of the narrative therapy process. By doing this, the pair is able to view the situation from a different angle. You can go into the past to uncover negative aspects that might otherwise remain buried. With the use of narrative therapy, both partners eventually have a deeper understanding of themselves, apart from their issues, and come to grasp how the language of their narrative affects their lives and identities.
Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT)
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Couples who want to strengthen their interactions and increase their connection can benefit from this therapy. When the fear of abandonment is activated, distress happens. Couples can learn to respond to one another in more empathic, emotionally connected ways by using EFT to help them understand each other’s attachment needs and insecurities. When partners learn to react in this manner, their attachment becomes more stable. EFT can assist couples in comprehending both their own and their partner’s emotional reactions. EFT aims to improve safe attachment and connection in relationships between partners.
Reflective Listening
Couples most frequently gripe about their partners’ lack of attentiveness. This issue can be resolved by utilising a method called reflective listening, in which one partner improves their listening skills in a way that is obvious to the other. This two-step communication technique is trying to comprehend what the other person is saying and then repeating it back to them to make sure they have understood it correctly. Reflective listening shows your spouse that you are genuinely interested in what they have to say and that you are making an effort to grasp what they are saying.
Imago Relationship Therapy
According to this therapy, a couple’s issues are the result of unfulfilled needs and unhealed scars from their early years, which later develop into their sensitivities and lead to disputes or suffering in relationships. Imago focuses on the link between early interactions and adult relationships. The purpose of therapy is to make these pictures conscious so that you can recognise unfavourable thoughts, emotions, and behaviours to better understand the early experiences that have influenced how you act toward your partner.