Your therapist is there to keep you on track, but also to help you be yourself. As both members talk, the relationship counselor listens to what they say and observes body language and the way couples react and communicate with each other. A good relationship counselor will encourage you to observe unhelpful ways to communicate outside of sessions, so you can begin to respond differently and resolve conflicts and relationship problems. Most couples go to couples counseling because they aren't happy or dissatisfied with one aspect of their relationship and want to create positive change for a happier life.
I think all good relationship counselors will highlight the strengths they see in their relationship. In couples therapy, both your therapist and your partner (if they're also in therapy) are there to help you increase your awareness of how those “old things” are affecting your relationship and to offer you support. If you're considering accessing a counseling service for your current relationship, these are the 10 most common things you can expect to discuss in the therapeutic process of an effective couples counseling session. Give yourself, your partner and your relationship the benefit of the doubt: seek counseling for couples.
Waiting too long after starting to experience relationship problems can hinder the benefits of couples counseling. Counseling can help you by connecting you to the strengths and resources you already have that help you relate in new ways to create a healthy relationship. Marriage counseling is for heterosexual couples, homosexual couples, couples of all races, and couples who have less traditional relationships (long distance, open marriages, married, but don't live together). Clinton Power+ Associates is a counseling practice dedicated to improving the lives and relationships of singles, people in relationships and couples.
While I don't give homework to my partners after every relationship counseling session, I think it's important to support couples by asking them to do their homework from time to time. This is different from family counseling, in which a family therapist can see the couple together with a combination of other family members to address family challenges and help family relationships. When I work with a couple, I want to know about their previous experiences of intimate relationships and what patterns have been repeated when one or both of them get back together and start new relationships. Relationship counselors provide services in a confidential space with both partners present in person at a counseling office or online via video conference.
