Couples therapy is a process through which a couple who may be engaged, dating, married, partner or sometimes even parent and child or other pairings works with a licensed therapist to identify specific areas of conflict or aspects of their relationship they would like to change, and then develops a plan of action to improve each individual’s satisfaction and contentment.

 

Working with a therapist in a safe and confidential setting, couples are able to explore how their individual backgrounds, beliefs, thoughts, and behaviors may be impacting their relationship in both positive and negative ways. The therapist may assist the couple with addressing any immediate and pressing problems, as well as developing strategies for protecting and enhancing the long-term health and happiness of their relationship.

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The good news is that couples counseling as it is currently practiced using Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) is now roughly 75 percent effective. This is true according to the American Psychological Association and is based on over 25 years of research. Outcome studies have included couples therapy for high-stress clients such as military couples, veterans with PTSD, parents of chronically ill children, and infertile couples. Results are also positive and substantial across different cultural groups.

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Couples who are in abusive relationships should not expect improvement in therapy until the abusive behavior stops. Separate therapy is often recommended for each partner in order to work toward self-control or to maintain safety, depending on the individual’s needs.