Benefits of Couples Counseling and How It Works

Couples counseling, also known as marriage counseling, is a type of counseling for intimate partners. It addresses conflicts between the partners, is often short-term, and focuses on specific problems. Other goals of couples counseling are improving communication and interactions and strengthening relationships.

Couples counseling is sometimes referred to as couples therapy or marriage therapy, but the terms "therapy" and "counseling" are different. Couples therapy addresses a condition such as anxiety or depression of one or both partners and how that condition impacts the relationship.

This article discusses couples counseling, its benefits, and what to expect during counseling. It also offers tips on how to find a counselor and how to prepare for a session.

Benefits of Couples Counseling

While couples counseling is not a guarantee that the relationship will last, many couples find benefits that help them resolve issues and strengthen relationships. Intimate partners can establish or grow better communication, honesty, and trust, which are the foundations of healthy relationships.

Additionally, couples counseling can help to improve feelings of security in the relationship, increase positive feelings the partners have toward each other, enable couples to cooperate, decrease stress, and provide the couple with tools to overcome future challenges together.

Issues Couples Counseling Can Help With

Couples counseling can address a wide variety of issues relating to relationships of intimate partners. This may be specific relationship challenges, such as arguing or having different plans for the future, or problems of one partner that affect the relationship as a whole, such as unemployment.

Couples counseling may address one or more of the following:

• Affairs and infidelity
• Anger
• Communication problems
• Blended families
  
• Emotional distance
• Financial challenges
• Future planning
• Getting ready for marriage
• Infertility or decisions about having children
• Major life adjustments
• Parenting conflicts
• Physical and mental health challenges
• Responsibility disagreements
• Sexual difficulties
• Substance abuse
• Unemployment
  

Additionally, couples counseling is an option for couples with no specific problems to address who want to strengthen their relationship.

Types of Couples Counseling

There are different approaches to couples counseling. The approach used may depend on the couple, their challenges and goals, and the training of the provider. Additionally, multiple approaches may be used with the same couple or in the same session.

• A behavioral approach to counseling considers the environment and how it reinforces or impacts thoughts and behaviors to guide changes that benefit the couple.
• A humanistic approach to couples counseling focuses on bringing awareness to the uniqueness of the individuals to achieve goals.
• An integrative approach to couples counseling uses multiple methods to serve the needs of the couple and the situation.
• A psychodynamic approach to couples counseling considers influences from the past to bring increased awareness to dynamics that are impacting the couple in the present in order to facilitate change.

What to Expect in Couples Counseling

Couples counseling involves conversations between romantic partners and a professional who provides counseling. Discussion generally focuses on a specific problem or issue that is the reason for seeking counseling, as well as goals for working together.

The process also involves strategies and learning skills to improve the relationship, such as communication skills, problem-solving skills, and strategies for discussing differences and overcoming problems together.

Finding a Couples Counselor

Couples counseling can be provided by licensed professional counselors and other mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, and clinical social workers. It is also provided by religious and spiritual leaders, including pastors, ministers, priests, rabbis, and chaplains.

Requirements for counselors and other mental health professionals vary by state. This means the services mental health professionals provide, including counseling and therapy, may be different depending on state education and licensing requirements.

It is a good idea to check the credentials of anyone you're interested in working with. For example, a qualified couples therapist will have a master's degree or PhD in mental health. They will also list couples or marriage counseling as a specialty. You may also want to look for someone who is board-certified in marriage counseling.

If you are experiencing specific problems within your relationship, you may be able to refine your search even more. For example, some therapists specialize in sex and intimacy, while others primarily work with LGBTQ couples. If you or your partner also have mental health conditions that need to be addressed, ask potential candidates if they have had experience treating those disorders during relationship therapy.

If you plan to use your insurance to pay for some or all of your counseling, consult with your insurance provider to see what types of services are covered and what providers are in your network. Keep in mind that most insurance policies don't cover couples counseling unless one or both partners has a diagnosis of a mental health condition.

Preparing for Couples Counseling

It is a good idea to ask questions at the time you schedule your first appointment. This will help you know what to expect during the first session.

Summary

Couples counseling aims to help intimate partners improve communication and resolve conflict. It can be a very beneficial way to improve a troubled relationship or strengthen a marriage.

Couples counselors use various approaches to help their clients. Expect to spend time discussing specific problems, building communication skills, and developing strategies for solving problems within the relationship.