There are three active parties in couples therapy: the two clients and the therapist. While each partner within the couple is considered a client by the therapist, the true client is “the couple.” The therapist focuses on maintaining and enhancing the couple’s relationship unless the couple requests a mutual and respectful dissolution of the marriage/partnership.
Couples therapy involves goal setting so that each member of the couple builds their communication skills with each other while addressing the primary goals and concerns that led to seeking professional assistance. Sessions are typically conducted with both parties present.
Couples seeking appointments must be ready to collaborate with their respective spouse/partner to define outcome goals, utilize insights from The Five Love Languages, and be prepared to commit to scheduling several consecutive weekly sessions with a plan to move to every other week or monthly once initial goals are completed successfully.
Couples present with a wide spectrum of topics that can be addressed including:
intimacy
parenting
family of origin
bereavement
fidelity
anger management
retirement
substance abuse
joint decision making
