Couples Therapy

Couples therapy is a type of psychotherapy in which a therapist with clinical experience working with couples helps two people involved in a romantic relationship gain insight into their relationship, resolve conflict, and improve relationship satisfaction utilising a variety of therapeutic interventions.

Couples therapy tends to involve the following general elements:

• A clear establishment of treatment objectives.
• A focus on a specific problem (i.e. sexual difficulties, porn addiction, jealousy)
• Active participation on the part of the therapist in treating the relationship itself, rather than each individual separately.
• Solution-focused, change-oriented interventions early on in treatment.

Couples therapy will usually begin with some standard interview questions regarding the history of the relationship as well as some exploration into each partner’s family-of-origin, values, and cultural background. The therapist might use the initial sessions for crisis intervention if necessary. The couple’s therapist will then assist the couple in identifying the issue that will be the focus of treatment, establishing treatment goals and planning a structure for treatment.

At Working Minds, we provide a caring, supportive, and non-judgmental environment to help you find a way through any difficulties you may be facing in your relationship. Together we will first help you to identify the issues or problems you are facing in your relationship. If you decide couple counselling is the way forward for both of you, you will embark on a series of short-term counselling sessions - anything between six and twelve sessions is normal, but it will depend on the issues you are experiencing. For some couples, counselling is the start of a longer process of discovery while for others, a few sessions of counselling may be all they need to move through a rough patch. You will be able to discuss your expectations with your counsellor.