All Methods of Couples Therapy

What Is Couples Therapy?

Couples therapy involves a therapist helping a couple resolve any problems within their relationship.

At least 13 different types of couples therapy are recognized, including psychoanalytic, object relations, transgenerational, pluralistic and narrative, all of which focus on issues stemming from childhood as the basis for problems in the relationship. Cognitive behavioral, behavioral, integrative behavioral, emotionally focused and ego analytical all deal with communication issues. Solution focused and structural are solution-based approaches that do not deal with the past, only the future. The Gottman approach focuses on the couple's strengths.

Couples therapy can help reduce conflict. Understanding how to resolve conflicts can also help you anticipate future problems and avoid them completely or resolve them more quickly. Couples can experience greater satisfaction from their relationships after attending counseling.

Both participants will not necessarily get the same things from therapy, especially if they went into therapy with different goals. It is important to realize that when you go into therapy, the outcome may not be what you expect.

Couples therapy will only be effective if both members of the couple are fully invested in the process. If you have to convince your partner to attend therapy, then chances are it is not going to be helpful.