The Mayo Clinic website claims that relationship counseling helps couples improve their relationships and resolve conflicts. Therapists may be marriage and family therapists or social workers with postgraduate degrees. Some of them may have American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy certification. The number and length of counseling or therapy sessions may vary depending on your specific issues and needs.
Purpose
Couples may seek counseling to improve the quality of their relationship, to resolve issues and to understand each other better. Often couples seek premarital counseling before they say their wedding vows to discuss expectations and to clear up any misconceptions either or both people may have. Couples might need to seek counseling to resolve issues involved in a blended family.
Issues
According to the Mayo Clinic, if there are troubling issues in your relationship, marriage and family counselors may be able to help you address and work through them. Some of these issues may include child or family conflicts, substance abuse, financial worries, communication problems, infidelity, anger or sexual problems. More serious domestic problems, such as abuse or violence, may need to be reported to the police.
Where to Look for a Counselor
Look for a relationship counselor by asking people you trust. Consult your family doctor who may have a list of people she refers her patients to. If you're comfortable asking family or friends, ask them for a suggestion because they may know someone who can help. Other places to look include your insurance company and mental health organizations.
Choosing a Counselor
When choosing a counselor, take time to look for the right person, advises the Help Guide website. Find someone who has experience with the type of therapy you need. Ask therapists what types of treatment options they offer and length of time they recommend for your situation. Find out if the therapist is licensed and in good standing with the regulatory board in your state. Help Guide also advises you to trust your instincts when choosing a therapist.
Types of Counseling
The Healthy Place claims that several types of counseling can be effective. Families, couples and individuals may seek therapy when they need help with relationship issues.
Family therapy involves the counselor observing interactions and learning more about how the family deals with problems. Then, she is likely to recommend and teach new methods for each person and the group as a whole to resolve conflict.
Couples counseling helps with specific issues between the partners. Premarital counseling, which is a series of therapy sessions for a couple before they get married, helps them deal with any problems they have and learn about what to expect after the ceremony is over.
Individual therapy may be used when one partner has a difficult time with open and honest communication. Group therapy may be used in a group setting with other similar couples through workshops, discussions and role playing sessions.
According to Help Guide, once you select a method of counseling, the therapist may recommend specific therapies for your situation. These may include cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy or interpersonal psychotherapy.
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