Everything You Need to Know About Couples’ Therapy
Couples therapy, also known as marital therapy, marriage counseling, or couples counseling, is a form of psychotherapy that aims to help people involved in a romantic relationship to better understand and resolve their conflicts and improve their relationship.
This form of therapy has evolved over the past 50 years. It is no longer simply focused on conflict resolution, but instead, on deeper, underlying, perpetual conflict and patterns.
Seeking couples therapy does not necessarily mean the relationship is failing; rather, it can be a proactive step to address issues before they become more significant problems.
Couples therapy can provide a safe and supportive environment for partners to explore their feelings, improve their connection, and work towards a healthier, more fulfilling relationship.
Our aim as marriage and family therapists is to provide clarity on the purpose and process of couples’ therapy within this blog to help you feel comfortable seeking out this type of therapy.
We strive to empower you with the knowledge you need to make informed decisions about your relationship's well-being. We understand that considering couples therapy is a significant decision, often fraught with uncertainty. We appreciate the trust you've placed in us to guide you through this journey.
Our team at Eclipse Psychology is here to support you every step of the way.
What is Couples’ Therapy
Couples therapy is designed to enhance relationships across various stages and forms, from dating to separated or divorced couples. Our team of couples therapists recognizes the importance of supporting all types of relationships, be it same-sex, monogamous, or non-monogamous.
Research indicates that many couples seek support when issues have already intensified, making resolutions more challenging. However, it's crucial to understand that no relationship concern is insurmountable. At Eclipse Psychology, we believe that any two individuals committed to the process of growth and understanding deserve assistance.
Addressing relationship challenges promptly is analogous to tending to a wound. Just as delaying wound care can lead to infections that require additional time and effort to heal, postponing seeking help for relationship issues can exacerbate underlying problems. Early intervention allows for more effective and efficient resolutions, fostering a healthier and more sustainable relationship dynamic.
Relationship therapy offers a comprehensive approach to addressing a variety of relationship challenges that partners may encounter. From communication breakdowns and financial disputes to intimacy struggles, infidelity issues, and disagreements around parenting, couples therapy provides a safe space for couples to navigate these obstacles together.
Our aim when working with couples is to enhance the satisfaction and well-being of the couple as a unit. Beyond just resolving immediate conflicts, we strive to deepen the understanding of each partner's internal experiences, including emotions, thought processes, conflict resolution styles, values, and the influence of their family backgrounds.
By fostering this increased self-awareness and mutual understanding, couples can develop stronger foundations for healthier communication, improved connection, and ultimately, a more fulfilling relationship moving forward.
Types of Couples Therapy Approaches
The Gottman Method and Emotion-Focused Family Therapy are two widely recognized approaches in the field of couples and family therapy.
The Gottman Method is a therapeutic approach developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman, focusing on building stronger, more understanding relationships by fostering communication skills, conflict resolution techniques, and promoting empathy within the couple or family unit. The method emphasizes the importance of managing conflict constructively, increasing intimacy, and maintaining a positive perspective on the relationship.
Emotion-Focused Family Therapy is rooted in the principles of attachment theory and emotional intelligence. Developed by Dr. Sue Johnson and Dr. Les Greenberg, this approach places a strong emphasis on identifying and understanding emotions within the family system. By exploring and addressing underlying emotions, this therapy aims to improve family dynamics, enhance communication patterns, and strengthen emotional bonds among family members.
Both the Gottman Method and Emotion-Focused Family Therapy provide valuable tools and strategies for couples and families to navigate challenges, improve communication, and foster deeper emotional connections within their relationships. Each approach offers a unique perspective on how to address and resolve conflicts while promoting a more positive and
How Couples’ Therapy Works
The Gottman Method for couples and family therapy meticulously assesses relationship dynamics before treatment, aiming for a holistic understanding. Through active involvement of all parties, strengths and areas needing attention are identified. The therapist guides this process, providing feedback and shaping tailored goals collaboratively. Transparent dialogue sets realistic expectations and outlines strategies for therapy. This structured assessment establishes a foundation of trust, preparing couples for therapy while fostering insight and partnership.
The Gottman Method for couples and family therapy is a comprehensive therapeutic approach that effectively addresses various aspects of relationships.
This method uniquely integrates several therapeutic modalities to provide a holistic approach to counseling. Firstly, it is an affective couple therapy that places a strong emphasis on the emotions brought into each session. By focusing on these emotions, therapists using the Gottman Method can help couples understand and navigate their feelings more effectively.
Secondly, being a behavioral couples therapy, the Gottman Method targets dysfunctional interaction patterns, aiming to bring about positive changes in how couples communicate and connect with each other.
Moreover, the method incorporates elements of existential therapy to address gridlocked conflicts and enhance the creation of shared meaning within relationships. By exploring deeper existential themes, couples can work towards a more profound understanding of their bond.
Additionally, the cognitive aspect of the Gottman Method delves into couples' thought processes regarding their relationship and assists in improving their emotional awareness, known as meta-emotion.
By examining these cognitive patterns, couples can make strides in enhancing their relationship dynamics. Furthermore, the narrative therapy component of the Gottman Method helps partners examine the narratives they have constructed about their history, struggles, and aspirations. By reshaping these narratives, couples can foster a more constructive outlook on their relationship.
Lastly, the psychodynamic approach integrated into the Gottman Method considers the influence of past relationships, especially within the primary family, on current relationship dynamics. By exploring these dynamics, couples can gain insights into underlying issues affecting their present interactions. By synthesizing these diverse therapeutic approaches, the Gottman Method offers couples a multifaceted framework to address their relationship challenges effectively and promote positive change and growth.
Our couples and family therapy sessions are designed to be comprehensive and accommodating. Sessions typically run for 60-90 minutes and are available in both in-person and virtual formats, with online sessions available Alberta-wide.
The frequency of sessions is tailored to the unique needs of each couple, taking into consideration factors like financial constraints and availability. Generally, clients tend to attend sessions more frequently at the start of therapy, gradually spacing them out as progress is made and the couple's dynamic improves.
Our goal is to provide flexible and effective therapy that supports couples and families in their journey toward healthier relationships.
If you're interested in starting couples therapy and are located in Alberta, you an contact us to set up an initial visit. Whether you are located inside of Calgary or beyond, we'd love to help you.