Couples Counseling Seattle:
What is Marriage & Couples Therapy?
Marriage and Couples therapy is a form of psychotherapy in which individuals involved in romantic partnerships meet with a therapist to gain insight around relationship dynamics, communication, the roles each person plays in the relationship, resolve conflict, and improve relationship satisfaction utilizing a variety of therapeutic interventions.
How Does Couples Counseling Work?
Typically, the first session of couple’s therapy begins with some standard interview questions regarding the couple's relationship history, what they are seeking treatment for, and creating treatment goals. Afterwards, the therapist may ask to meet with each partner individually, so the therapist can assess for safety, get to know the individual's perspectives, and deep dive into each partner’s family-of-origin, values, and cultural background.
During treatment in couples therapy, the therapist will meet with the couple together to help the couple gain insight into the relational dynamics and guide both partners to understand their roles in the interactions. This greater insight on relationship issues and distress will help them change the way they perceive the relationship and each other.
Most couples come away from couples therapy with greater knowledge of their relational patterns and with the necessary skills to effectively communicate and problem-solve with their partners.
What are the potential benefits of Couples Counseling?
Improved communication
Repair conflict
Effectively express your needs to your partner(s)
Learn to meet your partner’s needs
Repair broken trust
Address infidelity
Increase intimacy
Improve sexuality and sexual satisfaction
Parenting skills and support
Learn effective co-parenting
Prepare and plan for transitions, such as moving in, engagement, marriage, pregnancy, divorce, etc
Learn how to manage differences and conflict
Learn how to manage issues around in-laws and extended family
Effective boundary setting
Creating friendship and better understand your partner(s)
Creating shared values and meaning in relationship
TREATMENT APPROACHES FOR COUPLES:
The Gottman Method:
Gottman Couple's Therapy is an is a research based approach that was developed by Dr. John Gottman and Dr. Julie Gottman. Gottman Therapy “aims to disarm conflicting verbal communication, increase intimacy, respect, and affection, remove barriers that create a feeling of stagnancy, and create a heightened sense of empathy and understanding within the context of the relationship.”
Emotionally Focused Therapy:
Emotionally Focused Therapy, developed by Dr. Sue Johnson, is a form of therapy that focuses on attachment and bonding. The couple and therapist work together to look at the patterns in the relationship, take steps to create more secure bonds, develop more trust, and reorganize the couples emotional responses. The therapist will help the couple map out their specific emotional needs and how their partner(s) can meet these need. The couple will learn new ways of listening and staying attuned to each other’s emotions and gain new ways to respond to emotional situations. EFT is particularly useful for couples managing conflict, distress, and poor communication.
