How does couples therapy work? 7 steps to follow

Several key ideas to understand how couples therapy works, step by step.

Couples therapy is one of the most demanded psychological assistance services, and no wonder.

In fact, in Western countries, the number of marriages that end in divorce is between 30 and 45%, and if we assume that people who get married tend to be those who have already achieved some stability in their relationship, this indicates that couples problems are far from being rare exceptions.

On the other hand, couples therapy has proven to be effective in increasing the likelihood that the bond of affection will be strengthened and coexistence improved, and this influences many people to try to relaunch their love relationship with the help of professional support. However... how does couples therapy work? This is the topic we will explore if you read on.

7 keys to know how couple's therapy works

These are the fundamental guidelines that help to know how couples therapy works from the point of view of those who come to it as clients.

1. Determine if the problem should be addressed in therapy.

Not all relationship problems can be solved through couples therapy. In fact, in certain cases it is very important not to try this route; these are the cases in which one is a victim of physical or psychological abuse..

In situations like this, the first and only short-term solution is to end the relationship immediately and get out of it; going to therapy would only add to the problem, as it would be used as an excuse to postpone the break-up. However, couples therapists do not work to prolong these relationships.

2. Choose the format: face-to-face or online

Nowadays, there are many teams of psychologists who, in addition to the classic face-to-face therapy, also carry out online therapy, based on video-call sessions through electronic devices with cameras, typically laptops or desktop computers..

This is based on video-call sessions through electronic devices with cameras, typically laptops or desktop computers, the main difference is the communication channel used and the fact of saving time and travel.

3. Choose the place to go

It is important that you choose a therapy center or consulting room where registered psychologists work, to be sure that they have the necessary training to deal with cases.

4. Decide when it is good for you to go

Couples therapy requires weekly frequency, maintaining consistency in schedules. Make sure that the time and day selected suit both of you to the same extent.Make sure that the time and day selected suits you both equally well, so as not to generate asymmetries and problems that can evolve into a new conflict. If you are short of time, consider the option of online couples therapy.

5. Talk it over and minimally establish the problem.

It is good that before going to the first session you talk about the problem or problems you are experiencing in the relationship, in order to get a minimum notion of what is happening to you and how you feel about it.

Of course, you should not be obsessed with having an exact and objective vision of the problem to be solved. to solve. One of the basic aspects to understand how couples therapy works is not to try to decipher completely what is the cause of your discomfort or dissatisfaction; understanding this more deeply is part of the work that you will do in the therapy sessions with the help of the psychologist.

6. Consider individual therapy

Sometimes psychologists recommend combining couples therapy with individual sessions for one or both partners to deal with personal problems that are affecting the relationship. In these cases, there is no need to look for blameIt is simply another opportunity to overcome a problem that is probably causing discomfort in other areas of life beyond the love relationship and living together at home.

7. Go to therapy and commit to the process.

It is of utmost importance not to skip sessions, because this is often used as an excuse to stop going to therapy. In order to get results, it is necessary to maintain constancy during the therapeutic process for several weeks or months..

Are you interested in couples therapy?

At Psychologists Majadahonda We have many years of experience in both couples therapy and individual psychotherapy, always using the methods and intervention strategies that have proven to be most effective. In addition, we also perform child and adolescent therapy, which is useful in case of couples or couples with young children who may be affected by problems in the relationship.

You can avail of our services both in person at our center located in Majadahonda, as well as through online sessions by video call; if you are interested in learning more about how we work or want to see our contact details, access this page.

Bibliographical references:

• Biscotti, O. (2006). Terapia de Pareja: una mirada sistémica. Buenos Aires: Lumen.
• Christensena, A. & Dossb, B.D. (2018). Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy. Current Opinion in Psychology, 13: pp. 111 - 114.
• Ahluwalia, H.; Anand, T & Suman, L.N. (2018). Marital and family therapy. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 60(4): pp. S501 - S505.
• Lepore, J. (2010). The rise of marriage therapy, and other dreams of human betterment. Nueva York: The New Yorker.
• O'Donohue, W. & Ferguson, K.E. (2006). Evidence-Based Practice in Psychology and Behavior Analysis. The Behavior Analyst Today.