Being in a relationship can be life-changing in many ways. We share our day-to-day with another person, build dreams and goals with them, and our decisions are based around their interests, not just our own.
When relationships are going well, it might feel like a dream. But when communication breaks down and arguing, fighting, and frustration becomes commonplace, couples therapy and marriage counseling could be the solution. If you think that you and your partner could benefit from couples therapy or marriage counseling, consider scheduling a session at Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Round Rock.
What Is Couples Therapy?
Couples therapy, also known as couples counseling or relationship therapy, is a therapeutic approach that helps couples to better identify and work through the unique relationship issues that they’re struggling to overcome.
Couples therapy sessions are typically led by a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT). They’re experts who are equipped to help couples work through unique challenges and better understand one another.
Couples therapy often works to improve both partner’s communication skills, which means tough, yet productive conversations about the relationship and what is going wrong (and right) will occur. In exercises such as these, the therapist will ask for both partners to communicate honestly but respectfully.
What Is Marriage Counseling?
Marriage counseling aims to help married couples work through their issues and improve their relationship strategically. Marriage counseling also assists in re-igniting sparks that may have gone dull over the many years of married life—a normal experience for married couples. With the right marriage counselor’s guidance, partners can reinforce and recall the reasons that brought them together in the first place.
As with couples therapy, counselors who specialize in addressing relationship issues (typically LMFTs), lead this type of therapy. They may interchangeably be called marriage counselors or couples therapists. It’s important to remember that there’s no difference between marriage counseling and couples therapy. When the couple is married, couples therapy might also be referred to as marriage counseling—it depends on the status of the two partners attending therapy or counseling together.
At Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Round Rock, our mental health professionals meet with domestic partners, new couples, co-parents, couples with open marriages, and even long-term friends. We also have therapists who specialize in LGBTQ+ couples, couples from different cultural backgrounds, and more. All relationships deserve care – and all relationships require work.
Do I Need Relationship Counseling?
There are many problems, big and small, that may be troubling a marriage or relationship. That’s why couples therapists and marriage counselors are expert problem-solvers—and they share their experience and expertise with each couple.
Your relationship may be in need of relationship counseling if you and your partner are experiencing any of the following issues:
- Trauma
- Differences in parenting styles
- Lack of trust
- Repeated conflicts
- Different visions for the future
- Life transitions (empty nest, new parenthood, the death of a parent or child)
- Substance use
- Allocation of household responsibilities
- Mental health conditions that affect either of your mood and/or ability to function
- Financial distress or disagreements
- Internal or external boundaries
- Lifestyle differences
- Infidelity
- Opposing values
- Emotional distance/detachment
Change-oriented interventions guide both partners toward a more satisfying relationship. A clear outline of treatment objectives is used to track progress and to offer the couple a road map or guide of where they’re headed, and where they’ve been.
How Does Couples Therapy Work?
At the first couples therapy or marriage counseling session, a mental health professional will establish their understanding of what situations and issues are affecting your relationship. It gives both you and your therapist a chance to get to know each other better and determine if you’d work well together. During this time, your therapist will ask you and your spouse about your treatment goals—this may also include checking to see whether both partners want the same outcome out of the sessions. It’s a good time to disclose any challenges or reservations you have about the marriage or relationship; honesty is the best policy. This will help Thriveworks your counselor to determine the best course of action.
As sessions continue, you can give your counselor ongoing feedback about the process. This will help your therapist refine your individual therapy experience so it meets your specific needs. An LMFT might utilize a variety of therapeutic approaches, including emotionally focused couples therapy (EFT-C), solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, and/or the Gottman method.
Marriage therapy sessions will include exercises meant to improve communication, build trust, and help you and your partner get to know each other better as individuals—not just partners.
Scheduling Marriage Counseling at Thriveworks Round Rock
At Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Round Rock, TX, we have marriage counseling services available regardless of what your relationship is going through. Sharing your relationship’s struggles with an objective third party who isn’t a friend or family member offers clearer insight and better understanding of your relationship’s problems.
Reach out to our office in Round Rock office to get started. Our providers are ready to talk with you and your partner and to get your relationship moving in the right direction once more. With the assistance of Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Round Rock, TX, you can finally get the personalized attention and care your relationship deserves. Plus, we provide same-week appointments to new clients, offer evening and weekend sessions, and accept most major insurances.
Give us a call or book a couples therapy or marriage counseling session online.
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