Marriage counseling is a form of therapy that helps couples improve their relationships and cope with problems. Marriage counselors treat married couples (whether they are living together or apart), as well as couples who are in committed relationships but not yet married.
Marriage therapy is most effective for couples who have been experiencing problems for less than three years, although it can be helpful for couples with longer-term issues.
Couples who have been struggling with communication, intimacy, trust, power dynamics, financial problems and other relationship issues may benefit from marriage counseling. The goal of marriage counseling is to help partners communicate better, understand each other’s needs and resolve conflicts constructively.
How Does Marriage Counseling Work?
Couples therapy sessions typically last 50 minutes to an hour and are usually held weekly or biweekly over the course of several months or longer. During this time, the couple will discuss their relationship issues with their therapist rather than directly with each other. This allows each partner to express themselves openly without feeling defensive or judged by their partner.
The therapist will teach you communication skills and offer support and guidance as you work through your problems together. He or she may also provide feedback on how well you’re doing during your sessions so you can see how far you’ve come. Couples therapy doesn’t have to be all talk, though; sometimes it will include activities that require both partners to participate. For instance, your therapist may ask you to do some role-playing where you take on either each other’s roles or those of a third party in order to better understand each other’s perspective.
Marriage counseling NYC therapy often includes homework assignments so that you can practice what you learn in sessions between them. This may include reading a book together, writing about your feelings and communicating with each other more effectively.
Couples therapy can be an effective way to help you and your partner work through problems that have arisen in your relationship. If you’re interested in couples therapy, contact a therapist today for more information.