Buy Health Insurance Online

Exclusive

Wellness Benefits

24*7 Claims

Support

Tax Savings

u/s 80D

9000+ Cashless Hospitals PAN India

Pincode

+91 Enter Mobile Number

Try agian later

I agree to the Terms & Conditions

Port My Policy

Download Policy

(Incl 18% GST)

What Is Couples Therapy: Types, Benefits & Effectiveness

Difficulties in a relationship can affect both partners physically and mentally. Experts believe that communication is the key to building a successful relationship. Although there are many different ways to address and solve the problems in a relationship, couples therapy is found to have a significant impact on improving relationships.

Read on to know the types and benefits of different types of couples therapies.

Team Digit

What Is Couples Therapy?

Couple therapy is the psychotherapeutic process of making a couple understand each other’s expectations in the relationship and aims to improve their interpersonal communication. A therapist engaging in couples therapy seeks to gain a thorough insight into the terms of a relationship and the factors which cause conflict.

The sustenance of any relationship depends on how open and transparent the partners are. However, occasional quarrels and fights damage the intricate bond between two people. For example, the journey from couplehood to parenthood might be too overwhelming for some couples.

A licensed therapist follows a definite pathway to address and solve relationship issues. Some key highlights of their process include:

Understanding Relationship Issues: It is necessary to know the nature of the issue disturbing the relationship. For example, problems may include barriers to physical intimacy, jealousy or internet addiction, etc.
Counting the Relationship as a Single Entity Is Crucial: Therapists concentrate on both the partners equally and together as a unit.
Effective Planning: Chalking out a rough outline of the treatment objectives is essential.

Who Should Consider Couples Therapy?

Any kind of relationship will be ideal for undergoing couples therapy to improve the current complications. The following kinds of relationships can seek such therapy:

Interracial relationships.
Young teen or college relationships.
Straight or homosexual relationships.
Couples with large age differences.
Couples who are dating, engaged or married.

Couples therapy is known for bringing better understanding between partners. This is ideal for any couple, whether they have started dating recently or have been married for a long time. These are likely to help you improve your situation and enhance your relationship quality.

What Are the Reasons for Getting Couples Therapy?

You must be wondering why it might be beneficial to consider couples therapy. Even ideal relationships experience problems like conflict, distress, or mistrust. Such therapies might be essential for improving the quality of a relationship. You should consider it for the following reasons:

It helps you overcome trauma or grief over losing close ones.
You can rebuild trust after infidelity or other deceit.
It can help you go through a big move, like parenthood.
Such therapies help you analyse a situation from the ends of both partners.
You can manage substance use disorders.
It also helps you gain stability in your relationship.
Such therapies help rekindle a lost spark in your relationship.
It can resolve conflicts in a rational manner.

What Are the Types of Couples Therapy?

Couples seeking treatment from a registered therapist must understand their primary reason for seeking therapy. There are various techniques in couple therapy, each meant for different scenarios. Six different types of couple therapy techniques include:

1. Reflective Listening

A lack of proper communication between partners may make them drift apart. The practice of active listening allows the other person to express their feelings and emotions clearly.

However, when partners become impatient or too full of emotions, things might turn sour. Reflective listening guides a couple through the process of holding symmetric conversations and not counterarguing every point the other makes. A healthy discussion eventually helps couples to understand each other better.

2. Solution-based Therapy

When couples approach therapists to solve a particular problem that is negatively affecting their relationship, it is referred to as solution-based therapy. This technique aims to address short-term relationship problems and solve them in a therapist’s presence.

3. Gottman Solution

To develop a deeper understanding of a conflict, therapists often suggest couples undergo Gottman therapy. Therapists believe that partners tend to engage in conflicts when their friendship ends. Therefore, a private Gottman session observes a couple and their behavioural changes when presented with a contradictory situation.

4. Imago Relationship Therapy

Sometimes, traumatic experiences during one’s growing years may affect a relationship from its core. An imago therapy session helps partners to excavate the primary causes of childhood trauma which causes relationship anxiety. As a result, it imparts empathy and strengthens the bond.

5. Ellen Wachtel’s Approach

It is a strength-based approach used in couples therapy. Here, couples get to focus on the positive aspects of the relationships and observe their strengths over the negative aspects. They get activities to reflect upon their own activities and avoid blaming their significant others.

6. Psychodynamic Couple’s Therapy

This is another powerful approach taken in couples therapy. Here, you get to explore the underlying hopes and fears associated with your relationship. You can compare how these motivate you and your partner, which will be beneficial for you to understand each other better.

7. Behavioural Therapy

This approach allows the therapists to evaluate the behaviour of the partners in a relationship. They try to reinforce positive behaviours after finding the sources of negative attitude. This helps to enhance the stability and positivity in a relationship, eliminating the negative behaviours.

8. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

This approach in couples therapy aims at identifying the behavioural patterns between the partners and their thoughts that exert a negative influence on the relationship. Once the therapists identify negativities in thoughts and behaviours, they try to change these by building mutual trust and understanding.

What Are the Techniques Used in Couples Therapy?

In general, therapists aim to understand the causes of relational misbalance by studying the partners’ ways of holding a conversation among themselves. Relationship roadblocks can grow bigger unless these issues are addressed with care. Certain practices that therapists follow are:

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT): This therapy is based on Bowlby's attachment theory. The theory states that comfort and safety are the basis of any relationship and that partners might reflect behavioural traits adopted in childhood. EFT focuses on the factors that drive our emotional response. Therapists practising EFT try to dig deep into the sensitive parameters that affect a relationship.
Discussing Issues Systematically: An aggressive stance during a conversation may make someone defensive when a counter-issue is presented. Couple therapists advise partners to master the art of listening carefully before raising an issue. This reduces the chances of couples fighting over trivial matters.
Simplifying Past Experiences: Unfavourable past experiences like bad breakups, the death of an individual or pet, or being subject to bullying or harassment can seriously affect a relationship. Experts believe that traumatic circumstances trigger negative behavioural patterns. Therefore, identifying these traits is crucial for maintaining a healthy relationship.
Alignment: Aligning a discreet relationship allows partners to relive all those sensations and pleasurable experiences that form the basis of the relationship. Couples therapy practitioners recommend navigating difficult moments with ease to bring a relationship back to life.

What Are the Benefits of Couples Therapy?

Couples therapy increases relationship satisfaction and helps partners restore trust in each other. Some benefits of couples therapy include:

Better Understanding: You can explore love, compassion and feelings for your partner within a few sessions of couples therapy. Partners can share their hopes, frustrations, values and beliefs with the therapist during sessions of the therapy.
Identifying Relationship Issues: Couple’s therapy identifies common relationship issues like repeated conflicts, mistrust and feelings of disconnection. It then applies its techniques to resolve these issues eventually.
Improves Communication and Ends Dysfunctional Behaviour: An experienced therapist can pinpoint communication errors in a relationship and advice partners to share more with each other. They can also use certain techniques to end adverse behavioural changes, such as substance addiction or past traumas.
Resolves and Handles Conflicts: Couples therapists aim to identify the sources of conflicts and then resolve them with proper communication and discussions. They help both partners to adjust in resolving these issues.
Strengthens Friendship: These therapies can develop a sense of friendship, attachment and bonding between the two partners. This way, the problems and troubles seem to reduce between them.
Improves Satisfaction of the Relationship: These therapies can improve the quality of a relationship, thereby enhancing the satisfaction of being in one. They help you identify dysfunctional behaviour and get rid of them for a better future.

How Effective Are Couple Therapy Sessions?

The effectiveness of couples therapy sessions depends on the partners’ willingness to mend a relationship. Statistics show that up to 75% of couples recover from bad phases with the help of couples therapy, while 90% of all couples successfully improve their communication after applying certain communication techniques.

However, techniques like Behavioural Couple Therapy and insight-oriented couple theory can do the opposite. Psychotherapists claim that there has been a rise of 30% in divorce rates after applying these techniques. However, emotionally-focused therapy shows much fewer divorce rates.

What are the Steps to Get Started With Couples Therapy?

Couple therapy can often prove to be a viable solution for shaky relationships. Here are the steps that you can follow to get started with couple therapy:

Step 1: First, partners should consider talking to their counterparts about considering therapy sessions to defend their relationship.

Step 2: The next step involves searching for a licensed therapist or practitioner whose availability suits the purpose of either partner. Suggestions for choosing one may come from friends or family.

Step 3: Checking the therapist's schedule is essential.

Step 4: The final step involves providing the necessary details that the therapist wants to know. This may include simple information about the relationship and the partners' expectations from the therapy.

How Long Should Couples Therapy Last?

The duration of couples therapy depends on the current status of the relationship and the intensity of the problems. Moreover, the willingness of the partners to put in the extra effort also plays a part. In some cases, a couple of sessions can be sufficient to get a clearer picture of the problem. In other cases, the sessions might stretch for months.

People often start getting frustrated if their problems persist even after six sessions of couples therapy. They might wish to give up on the relationship. Therefore, the therapists need to ensure to start showing differences within 2-3 sessions. They need to encourage the partners to be more active and make efforts.

Things to Consider for Couples Therapy

In the first place, individuals need to ensure that their partners are willing to participate in couples therapy. If they are not willing, their partners need to convince them to do so, explaining the benefits of such a therapy. Otherwise, you can also take the therapy alone and try to work on your relationship by yourself.

In some cases, you might find that you and your partner need separate therapy sessions based on your needs and requirements. Here, you need to consider some external factors, like a history of substance abuse or depression. These factors will determine the kind of therapy you need.

Couples therapy can be an effective tool for sorting out and solving relationship problems. In the long run, it helps partners develop feelings of compassion, love and respect for each other. Always remember that symmetric communication lays the foundation stone for an inseparable relationship.

FAQs About Couples Therapy

All

What is Behavioural Couples Therapy (BCT)?

As an essential couple therapy technique, BCT aims to transform one’s behaviour by addressing pivotal issues and promoting positive behaviours. In this process, it aims to omit negativity and promote relationship satisfaction.

How can I prepare for a couple’s therapy session?

Partners need to take care of certain points they can share with the therapist. Partners should have a clear idea of their expectations, the extent of information sharing and essential information that needs to be shared with the therapist.

Is the presence of both partners mandatory for couples therapy?

A therapist performing couple’s therapy may take sessions with either of the partners, although at some time, they both may need to be present together.

Other Important Articles about Procedures & Tests

ACL Reconstruction Surgery

What Is Nt Scan

Domestic Travel Guidelines in India

Basti In Ayurveda

Can Smokers Donate Blood

Get Vaccination Certificate on WhatsApp

Can A Person With Tattoo Donate Blood

Medical Tourism In Singapore

What Is RPR Test

Gastric Bypass Surgery

Medical Tourism In Thailand

Heart Valve Surgery

Difference Between Nebulizer And Inhaler

What Is Ct Scan

What Is Pedometer

What Is D Dimer Test

What Is Exposure Therapy

Spine Decompression Surgery

Robotic Assisted Sacrocolpopexy

Homeopathy For Back Pain

What Is Systematic Desensitisation Therapy

What is Cholesterol Test

Virechana Panchakarma Treatment

When To Take A Pregnancy Test

Bypass Surgery

Medical Tourism In Us

Hip Replacement Surgery

Rdw In Blood Test

Hct In Blood Test

Covid Vaccination Certificate Uses

What Is Mchc In Blood Test

What Is Couples Therapy

Arogya Setu App

Raktamokshana Ayurvedic Treatment

What Is Thyroid Function Test

What Is Nasal Cannula

Rabies Vaccine

What Is Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

Homoeopathy For Hair Fall

What Is FBS Test

Laparoscopic Surgery

Download Vaccine Certificate By Mobile Number

What is a Glucometer

What Is Rbs Test

Homeopathy For Knee Pain

What Are X Rays

Difference Between Homeopathy And Allopathy

Dance Movement Therapy

What Is Mammography

What Is Influenza Vaccine

Pcv In Blood Test

Pulse Oximetry Test

What is Romberg Test?

Homoeopathy for Cough

Homeopathy For Sinusitis

Types Of Thermometers

Remedial Therapy And Massage Treatment

Ayurveda For Hair Growth

What Is VDRL Test

Allopathy Vs Ayurveda

What Is Apnea Monitor

Cat Bite Treatment

Benefits Of Blood Donation

Sarvanga Swedana

What is Biopsy Test

Homoeopathy For Piles

Homeopathy For Blood Pressure

Endarterectomy Surgery

Homeopathy For Eczema

Endometrial Ablation

What Is IDH Blood Tests

Medical Tourism In Turkey

Download Vaccination Certificate

Dinacharya In Ayurveda

Homoeopathy For Chest Congestion

Blood Donation Eligibility Criteria

Bone Marrow Transplant

Hernia Surgery

Medical Tourism Destinations

Atherectomy Surgery

Can Diabetics Donate Blood

What is Electrocardiogram Test

How To Use A Steamer

Homeopathy For Fatty Liver

Decompressive Craniectomy Surgery

What is a Nebulizer

Alt In Blood Test

Types Of Heating Pads

What Is Tongue Scraping

What Is AMA Test

Abhyanga Massage

What Is Flooding Therapy

LDH Blood Test

Knee Replacement Surgery

Plt Blood Test

What is Electroencephalogram Test

Cervical Spine Surgery

Beneficiary Reference ID After Vaccination

Snake Bite Treatment

World Blood Donor Day

What Is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

What is MRI Scan

Hepatitis B Vaccine

What Is Crp Blood Test

Endoscopic Surgery

Polio Vaccine

Peripheral Artery Disease Surgery

Varicose Vein Surgery

Joint Fusion Surgery

What is Antinuclear Antibody Test

Yoga Mudra And Benefits

Spine Surgery

What Is Sonography Test

What is Abdominal CT Scan

Angioplasty Surgery

What Is Spirometry Test

Homeopathy for Cholesterol

MPV Blood Test

Homoeopathy For Kidney Stones

Types Of Pranayama

Make Correction in Vaccine Certificate

Full Body Detox

Cholecystectomy Surgery

Homeopathy For Constipation

Rituacharya In Ayurveda

Oxygen Concentrators

Homeopathy For Allergic Rhinitis

Foods to Eat before and after Donating Blood

Heart Surgery

Sudarshan Kriya and Its Benefits

Homeopathy For Fungal Infection

Triple Marker Test In Pregnancy

What Is Collaborative Therapy

Dog Bite Treatment

Meditation Benefits

What Is Interpersonal Therapy

What Is Occupational Therapy

Sgot Blood Test

What Is Echocardiogram

What is Colonoscopy Test

Appendectomy

Homeopathy For Asthma

What Is Bcg Vaccine Full Form

What Is Nature Therapy

Homoeopathy For Pollen Allergy

Breast Reconstruction Surgery

Difference Between Homeopathy And Ayurveda

What is PET Scan Test

Side Effects Of Blood Donation

Laminectomy Procedure

Homeopathy for Diabetes

What Is Pneumonia Vaccine

What Is Hakomi Therapy

Jala Neti Benefits

What is Gastroscopy

Homoeopathy For Migraine

How To Choose The Right Therapist

Rat Bite Treatment

Vamana Therapy

How To Use A Blood Pressure Monitor

Homeopathy for Gastritis

Cataract Eye Surgery

Pacemaker Surgery

What is Kriya Yoga?

Shoulder Replacement Surgery

Covishield Vaccine

What Is Kidney Function Test

Gandusha Kriya Oil Pulling

What Is Therapy For Anxiety

What Is Supportive Therapy

What Is Psychodynamic Therapy

Panchakarma Treatment

Blood Donation After Covid Vaccine

What Is Rbc In Blood Test

What is a Ventilator

Ventriculostomy Procedure

What Is Esr Blood Test Full Form

Check Pending Challan only on Digit App

Install

Check Pending Challan only on Digit App

Latest News

Currently there are no news to show.

Renew & Download Policy Document, Check Challan, Credit Score, PUC & more

56K+ Reviews

4.7

Rated App

56K+ Reviews

11K+ Reviews

4.3

Rated App

11K+ Reviews

Download the App

CIN: L66010PN2016PLC167410, IRDAI Reg. No. 158.

Go Digit General Insurance Limited | Corporate Office Address: Atlantis, 95, 4th B Cross Road, Koramangala Industrial Layout, 5th Block, Bengaluru 560095 | Registered Office Address: 1 to 6 floors, Ananta One (AR One), Pride Hotel Lane, Narveer Tanaji Wadi, Shivaji Nagar, Pune-411005, Maharashtra | Trade logo of Go Digit General Insurance Ltd. displayed above belongs to Go Digit lnfoworks Services Private Limited and is provided and used by Go Digit General Insurance Ltd. under license.