Before attending your first couples counseling session, you need to prepare. This is especially true if you as a couple are going through a crisis in the relationship, then you need to have questions prepared to address the most glaring issues in the marriage. For example, when a couple has reached a certain point in a marriage, problems can arise with intimacy that can cause conflict, especially when the issue isn't resolved quickly. With this in mind, it can help to know some things about how to prepare for couples counseling, it's best to prepare questions and write down your feelings about them before a session.
Listing the Issues in the Relationship
Preparing for couples therapy includes knowing what to expect from the session. There are several ways you can learn about the different types of sessions that will be held with the counselor. If a couple approaches the idea with their homework done, finding out what techniques are used can help decide which one they prefer and which will likely produce the best results. Make sure you and your partner are comfortable with the counselor, as well as ask how long they've been in the field and how their approach has saved marriages.
Finding the Right Couples Therapy
Couples who have been together a while may want to think about whether or not they would like to have a more open session or one where the issue at hand is covered more thoroughly. The same goes for those who are uncomfortable talking about a particular topic. Knowing how much information you want to share can help you make better decisions about what you need to do and not do in your marriage during the session. If the issue at hand is sensitive, you should make sure that your spouse is informed and comfortable.
Another thing to consider when looking at how to prepare for couples' counseling is the type of behavior that you expect your spouse to exhibit. It may help get some advice from a counselor before you try to tackle the issue. It's okay , and often necessary, to make changes and modifications to your behavior, but you should be addressing the emotions that are causing the problem to be able to address it more effectively. If your spouse is already exhibiting inappropriate behaviors, they may not be willing to make any significant changes to the way they act because they do not seem themselves as the problem. That's why you need to ensure your therapist is understanding and able to find innovative solutions.
Addressing the Reason for Conflict
When it comes to how to prepare for couples counseling, you should note what is going on in the relationship, as well as who is involved in the problems, and what's happening in the marriage. If there are any conflicts among the partners, you should know how to handle them. Some issues that tend to cause conflicts include work issues, money issues, children and household chores, or a lack of communication. If there are too complicated problems to handle, you may want to seek professional help before making drastic changes to the way you handle them. Your relationship can be saved, but it can be difficult to change patterns of behavior.
If you would like to learn more or book a couples therapy session, then contact Dr. Shainbart today.
Comments