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What can Couples or Marriage Therapy do for your relationship?
It’s more than fixing what is broken. Most couples seek therapy when they have problems they have been trying to handle independently. Although, having a specific “problem” in your relationship is certainly not required to come in! Any couple can benefit from couples therapy. A good couples therapist provides expert guidance and practical tools for improving your relationship. Couples counseling can help you learn or improve key communication and relationship skills. Put simply, couples therapy can help to mend what is broken or problematic. In addition, it can help to maintain and enhance already healthy relationships.
When to Come to Couples Counseling
If you’ve been wondering about seeing a couples therapist due to issues in your relationship, below are a few common signs or symptoms that may indicate it is time to schedule an appointment:
- Frequent or increasing bickering and arguing
- A decline in regular intimacy patterns
- Feeling alone despite being in a relationship
- Decreased interest in spending time with your partner
- Infidelity
- Difficulty communicating with your partner
Expertise in Couples & Marriage Counseling
When it comes to couples therapy, it is vital to work with a seasoned mental health professional with expertise and confidence in treating couples. This can, however, be difficult to find. There are many, many therapists out there who say they offer couples & marriage therapy. But couples counseling is a specialized field. It’s different than individual counseling. And you need a marriage counselor who understands those differences. Someone who knows couples, relationships & the nuances of helping high-conflict couples find healing.
As a therapist with nearly 20 years of experience working with couples, including a doctoral degree in couples and family therapy, I am highly qualified to assist you and am passionate about helping all types of couples (e.g., married, partnered, LGBT, polyamorous).
Gottman Couples & Marriage Counseling
One of the modalities I utilize pervasively in my work with couples is the work of John Gottman. For the past thirty-five years, Gottman’s research has been internationally recognized. The Gottman approach to counseling is incredibly effective! In fact, the Gottman research has shown they can even predict the long-term success or failure of relationships based on several key factors.
One major takeaway from Gottman’s research is The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. The Four Horsemen, otherwise known as criticism, contempt, defensiveness and stonewalling, are communication styles that, when present, indicate a relationship is in real danger. If you have noticed any of The Four Horsemen in your relationship, it may be time to seek professional help.
What to Expect in Couples & Marriage Therapy
Many couples have shared that they were initially hesitant to try couple therapy. Sometimes, this is due to concerns that they would feel judged, criticized, and blamed by the therapist, that the therapist would take their partner’s side, or that they would just be having the same arguments but in front of a therapist. In my work with couples, I create a space where both partners feel heard, respected, and valued. In my couples counseling sessions, each partner’s perspective is honored. In fact, in this space, arguments, rather than simply repeating the past, are used as tools for solving problems. You can expect that with each couple sessions, you will walk away with new insights, solutions, and homework for practicing skills in the real world.
Begin Couples & Marriage Counseling in St. Petersburg, Florida
If you & your partner are ready to begin improving your relationship through couples counseling or marriage therapy, our relationship counselors can help in our St Pete or Tampa counseling offices. Contact us to get started today!
Are one of you still unsure about starting marriage counseling? Learn about the benefits of couples & marriage counseling, what to expect from couples counseling and how to talk to a partner who is resistant to marriage counseling on our mental health blog.
Your St. Petersburg Expert in Couples and Marriage Therapy
Don’t wait before it’s too late. There is no better time than the present to begin working with a couples therapist. Whether your relationship feels a bit stale or is in need of significant changes, a couples therapist such as myself can help you to rediscover hope, joy, and love with your partner.
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