Couples therapy is for all couples experiencing a crisis, going through significant life changes or wanting to relate better to one another. You may be wanting to find out whether to stay together or perhaps how to amicably separate.
You might have been together for decades or not all that long. You may be experiencing relationship issues that are considered typical or less conventional challenges. Perhaps you’re convinced your relationship is sustainable or maybe you are becoming less sure. The time to see a couples therapist is when communication has broken down or become ineffective.
There are many reasons for seeking relationship counselling but what a couple’s therapist will usually be able to help you with is communication. Through couples therapy, you will gain the opportunity to express yourselves and listen to one another.
The key to effective relationship therapy is the motivation and willingness of both parties to work on their relationship together. It is not uncommon for one party in the couple to make the first step in seeking help. However, if the other person is completely unwilling, it will be very difficult to do any productive work. This is not to say that one or both people won’t feel scared or resistant. These are normal feelings experienced by many when seeking a relationship therapist’s support, especially if it is for the first time.
The key to any healthy relationship is good communication. This may sound simple and yet it’s surprising how few couples communicate well.
Couples therapy supports the couple in exploring new and healthier ways of relating through effective communication and conflict resolution.
Your couples therapist will be interested in knowing more about your history (individual and as a couple) and the key factors that led you to develop some of the relational patterns which are keeping you stuck. We do this by creating an environment where you feel comfortable and can speak openly and honestly in your partner’s presence.
The couple’s therapist helps facilitate dialogue by listening equally to both parties, understanding the issues that you are facing and working with you towards more effective communication. Relationship therapy is a collaborative process, whereby we jointly explore your needs and goals and work towards achieving them.
Some of the common relationship areas couples seek support with include:
– Affairs
– Lack of emotional closeness or trust
– Couples who are in a business partnership
We are experienced at working with same-sex and heterosexual couples and with polyamorous and monogamous couples. It is not our job to judge the choices you jointly make in your relationship, however, the key word here is jointly.
Whether you are seeking couples therapy or wish to work through your relationship issues as an individual, our psychotherapists can support you in evaluating what choices are right for you. We can then guide you through safely and effectively creating and nurturing a relationship based on communication, understanding and passion.
Brighton & Hove Psychotherapy have practices in Lewes and Hove and have clients from right across Sussex as well as London and further afield. To find out about the relationship counselling we can offer get in touch with ust oday.
Brighton & Hove Psychotherapy also offer online relationship therapy and marriage counselling.
Further reading:
Our couples therapists have written several blog articles about relationships and working with couples.
For more information on Couples Therapy, take a look at our guide here.
