Thinking About Relationship Therapy? Here's Everything You Need to Know

Relationship therapy is a therapy designed for couples that helps them navigate and solve problems as a team. Couples therapy can help you and your partner maintain your romantic connection by resolving interpersonal conflicts large and small. While some couples may see a relationship therapist for a preventive nature, to keep their relationship on track, most couples see a relationship therapist when things go wrong. Relationship therapists can help couples navigate difficult situations in relationships, such as communication problems, conflict management problems, problems related to finances and fidelity, to name a few.

Couples therapy is becoming more and more common these days as couples realize that they can't really handle their relationship problems on their own. Realizing this is an important first step, and it's important to know that it doesn't mean you're admitting defeat in any way! It can be very difficult to navigate the peaks and valleys of a relationship, in addition to the problems that are unique to romantic relationships. Using a couples therapist who has the training to help you navigate these things is often the best thing you can do to improve or even save your relationship. Relationship therapy is about giving you and your partner the skills to deal with current and future problems effectively and gently, so that your relationship remains strong and will last the test of time.

Relationship therapy versus individual therapy

It is important to make a distinction between the types of problems that require couples therapy and the types of problems that require individual therapy. It is true that if one person in the couple is experiencing difficulties, it is likely to spill over into the relationship and affect their romantic connection. If this is the case, it is important to recognize the source of the problems and work to address them. In many cases, it is totally unnecessary for both you and your partner to go to a couples therapist. If the problems originate with only one of you, that person should try individual therapy to work on addressing these problems on their own. This is not an excuse to blame a person for your problems, it is just important to note that not all relationship problems are due to the relationship.

If you and your partner are serious about solving your problems, it is important to have honest conversations about where the problems originate and whether you and your partner are contributing equally to the problems. This may seem a bit abstract, so here's an example: Let's say your partner has unresolved anger issues, which are causing conflicts in your relationship to escalate rather than resolve. If this is the case, it would not be helpful for you to attend couples therapy to learn about conflict management, because your partner will continue to have anger management problems that will exacerbate the situation. Couples therapy may be a good next step, but above all, your partner must learn to manage his anger. Identifying the root of your relationship problems will help you identify the best therapy path to take to create a healthier and happier relationship. Individual therapy can always work in parallel with couples therapy, but keep in mind that the two are not interchangeable.

 
 
Types of couples therapy

If you and your partner decide that relationship therapy is right for you, it is important to
know that relationship therapy comes in many forms today. When people think of therapy, most of the time they think of in-person therapy, in which you meet with a therapist on a regular basis to diagnose and address specific problems in your relationship so that you can find solutions as a team and move on. . Even within the framework of in-person relationship therapy, there are many different approaches you can take. The Gottman Method, for example, is a research-based method that incorporates individual and couples therapy sessions to identify problems in your relationship and help you move toward creating a shared life experience. In addition to the Gottman Method, there are many other forms of in-person relationship therapy that are effective. These traditional types of therapy can be an excellent resource for any couple going through a rough patch, but they are not the only form of couples therapy on the market.

In addition to one-on-one couples therapy, there are many couples workshops and retreats on the market that can help you and your partner navigate your relationship in a group setting. These workshops cover group dynamics to help you and your partner solve your problems with the help of partners who are often in very similar situations. There are also many online and app-based couples therapy resources that can replace traditional therapy for many couples. There are tons of relationship therapy training apps and relationship coaching apps to help couples overcome their problems in a less conventional and more convenient atmosphere.

We can put you and your partner in touch with a relationship counselor to help you set and work toward your dating goals. If you are interested in an interactive platform, but don't necessarily want a relationship coach, you and your partner can always go to online forums to discuss your problems with other people who are experiencing similar things. There are even quizzes you can take online to help you learn more about your relationship and fix any issues you are view having.

In addition to these electronic resources, you can always look for relationship self-help books to help you and your partner solve your problems. These books are less specialized in your exact situation, but they can definitely offer interesting information and possible solutions to your relationship problems. And even if they are less partner-specific, the books can be quite situation-specific, with titles related to sexuality, age, religion, and other categories. If you and your partner are considering couples therapy, it is important to consider all types of couples therapy options out there, so that you choose the right option for your relationship. You also don't need to commit to just one type of therapy. Sometimes adopting various types of therapy can help you and your partner resolve your problems and stay mindful in your relationship.

Signs you should try couples therapy

If you're wondering if you need to see a relationship therapist, you probably already know the answer, and yes, you should. Couples therapy can help you and your partner overcome your problems as a team so that you can exist in a healthy, loving relationship. If you and your partner are committed to each other, the process and the prospect of improving your relationship, relationship therapy can be very effective in addressing any issues plaguing your relationship. It is difficult to identify an exhaustive list of signs that you should try couples therapy, but couples therapy may be for you if you are your partner, you fight all the time, you feel emotionally or sexually distant from each other, you cannot communicate effectively, identify a troublesome pattern or recurring problems, one of you was unfaithful, or is going through a major life event. These are good rules of thumb to use when deciding to pursue online relationship therapy training, but know that no problem is too big or too small to address with a relationship therapist.

The bottom line is that both you and your partner should be happy in the relationship, so if not, it's worth trying to find out why. Many things can be resolved without involving a therapist, but sometimes it is absolutely necessary to hire an expert with an outside perspective to assess your situation. The most important part of couples therapy is that both you and your partner are on the same page about seeking help. If one of you is not interested in the prospect of improving your relationship, it is important to get to the bottom of your reasoning.

In-person versus online / app therapy

In-person and online therapy provides different means to the same end, a solution to your relationship problems, and a happier, healthier union. When considering which route to take, it's important to see how in-person and online therapy compare in terms of methodology, convenience, cost, and other things. Some couples prefer in-person therapy because they can develop a personal relationship with their therapist. For many people, meeting someone in person is really crucial to building the trust that is required in a doctor-patient relationship.

In-person therapy, as we discussed earlier, is definitely the most typical approach and some couples are drawn to the perceived conventional and well-tested nature of in-person therapy. While this is definitely a pro, there are some notable downsides that you and your partner need to consider. Some of the main drawbacks of in-person therapy are the inconvenience and high cost that it often entails. Meeting with a therapist in person, as a couple, means that you have to coordinate the schedule of three people, which can be really difficult. It also means spending some of your free time on therapy appointments. And while this is the most responsible thing, it will definitely pay off in the long run, it can be difficult to give up what little free time you have in couples therapy.

In-person therapy training can also be very expensive. Rates depend on what city you live in, of course, but no matter where you live, meeting with a professional relationship counselor will cost a penny. Especially when you consider that couples therapy can often be a lengthy process, with multiple expensive sessions. While we have made a lot of progress in the destigmatization of mental health, we have not made enough progress to cover all types of therapy with insurance. Couples therapy is almost never insured, which means that you and your partner will have to bear the bills in full. Finances can often be at the root of relationship problems, so it is important to consider the monetary cost and stress that face-to-face therapy may entail.

None of this is intended to discourage you or your partner from seeking couples therapy. But it is important to know the realities before walking through a therapist's door, so that you understand the time and financial burden of commitment from the start. These barriers have prevented many couples from seeking couples therapy training, so online therapy and apps have intensified to try to remove these barriers and address the needs of all couples.

Compared to in-person therapy, online therapy is definitely less conventional. Online therapy focuses less on the relationship between the therapist and the couple and more on the couple. The therapist acts as a guide that you and your partner can lean on when you need support. This format may require more of you and your partner in terms of active participation and problem solving, but this can help you address your problems more directly as a couple. A great advantage of online therapy is that it is the most convenient type of therapy out there. You can access your virtual therapist around the clock, from the comfort of your home, or on the bus during your trip, or in line at the grocery store checkout. You can register at any time of the day, without the need for an appointment or prior scheduling.

Online therapy is also a great option for long-distance couples who don't have the option of seeing a therapist in person, but still need help solving relationship problems. Online therapy is also much more affordable than in-person therapy. Online therapy often requires a monthly subscription fee, but I guarantee that this fee is much cheaper than seeing someone in person. Online therapy is the option for couples who are open to a less conventional couples therapy option that is more convenient and accessible.

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