Couple Counselor in Gilbert - Restored Counseling & Wellness Center

Do I need relationship counseling?

Relationship counseling can be beneficial for individuals and couples who are experiencing difficulties in their relationship. It provides a safe and supportive space to address issues, improve communication, and work towards a healthier and more fulfilling relationship. Here are some factors to consider when determining if you need relationship counseling:

1. Communication problems: If you and your partner struggle to communicate effectively, have frequent misunderstandings, or find it difficult to express your needs and concerns, relationship counseling can help improve your communication skills.
2. Conflict resolution: If you and your partner frequently argue, have unresolved conflicts, or struggle to find common ground, relationship counseling can provide guidance and strategies for resolving conflicts in a healthy and constructive manner.
3. Trust issues: If trust has been broken in your relationship due to infidelity, dishonesty, or other reasons, relationship counseling can help rebuild trust and work through the underlying issues.
4. Intimacy and connection: If you and your partner feel disconnected, lack emotional or physical intimacy, or have difficulty maintaining a satisfying connection, relationship counseling can help you explore and address these issues.
5. Life transitions: If you and your partner are going through significant life changes such as becoming parents, dealing with career changes, or experiencing loss, relationship counseling can provide support and guidance during these transitions.
6. Individual issues impacting the relationship: If one or both partners are dealing with personal issues such as mental health concerns, trauma, or substance abuse, relationship counseling can help navigate how these issues impact the relationship and work towards healing and growth.

It's important to note that relationship counseling is not limited to married couples. It can be beneficial for couples in any stage of their relationship, including dating, engaged, cohabiting, or married. Additionally, relationship counseling can be helpful even if only one partner is initially willing to attend, as it can still provide valuable insights and tools for improving the relationship.

What happens in couples therapy?

Couples therapy, also known as couples counseling, is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on helping couples work through challenges, improve their communication, and develop healthier ways of relating to each other 

The specific process and techniques used in couples therapy may vary depending on the therapist and the couple's unique needs and goals. Here's an overview of what typically happens in couples therapy:

1. Initial session: The first session is usually spent getting to know each individual person and their relationship as a couple. The therapist will ask questions about each person's background, childhood, and how they met each other. This information helps the therapist understand the couple's whole story and provides a foundation for future sessions.
2. Identifying issues: Couples therapy involves identifying and addressing the issues that are causing distress or conflict in the relationship. This can include communication problems, trust issues, unresolved conflicts, intimacy issues, or other challenges that the couple is facing.
3. Improving communication: A key focus of couples therapy is improving communication between partners. The therapist helps the couple learn effective communication skills, such as active listening, expressing emotions, and resolving conflicts in a constructive manner.
4. Exploring emotions and patterns: Couples therapy often involves exploring the emotions, fears, motivations, and behaviors that may be contributing to relationship difficulties. This can include examining past experiences and patterns that may be influencing the couple's dynamics.
5. Setting goals: The therapist works with the couple to set goals for therapy. These goals may include improving communication, rebuilding trust, enhancing intimacy, or finding ways to resolve conflicts more effectively.
6. Learning new strategies: Couples therapy provides couples with tools and strategies to address their challenges and improve their relationship. This may involve learning problem-solving techniques, practicing effective communication skills, or developing strategies for managing stress and conflict.
7. Working as a team: Couples therapy emphasizes the importance of working together as a team. The therapist helps the couple develop a collaborative approach to problem-solving and encourages both partners to take responsibility for their actions and contribute to the growth of the relationship.
8. Ongoing support: Couples therapy is typically an ongoing process that requires commitment and active participation from both partners. The therapist provides ongoing support, guidance, and feedback as the couple works towards their goals.

It's important to note that every couple's therapy experience is unique, and the specific process may vary depending on the therapist's approach and the couple's specific needs. The ultimate goal of couples therapy is to help couples build a stronger, healthier, and more fulfilling relationship.