Effective Couples Therapy And How It Works

Effective Couples Therapy And How It Works

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By Aaron Hernandez
marriage-counseling-services-250x250Some couples hit a stage in their relationship where they know that something isn’t right but lack the skills to understand how to get their relationship back on track. When this happens  some seek the advice and guidance of marriage counselors and therapists. The good thing is that there are some of the most experienced in every state but many people are still a little unsure of the success rates of couples therapy.
With this in mind, let’s delve a little into what principles are thought in couples therapy how they works.
Changes the perspective of the relationship
Throughout the process the therapist will a work with both parties to help them look at their relationship in a different perspective, in essence, a more objective manner. couples learn to cease the ‘blame game’ and start looking objectively at their actions and the affects they have on the other party and their relationship as a whole. When it comes to marriage counseling, couples who have experienced couples therapy suggest that this is one of the most valuable aspects of the process.
Halts dysfunctional behavior
For any therapist, dysfunctional behavior is one of the most relationship damaging and common aspects of any sparring couple. Verbal, mental and even physical abuse can all manifest themselves as dysfunctional behavior. The counselor will assess the risk imposed to one or both parties and on many occasions will utilise ‘time out’ procedures in order to stop damaging dysfunctional behavior from occurring.
Expressing emotion
Whether you attend marriage counseling or visit a therapist, one of the biggest benefits couples can get from therapy is that they will learn to express how they feel and not become emotionally distant. Couples who tend to shy away and avoid expressing emotion are at far greater risk of drifting apart. Skilled therapists can help couples to bring their emotions out into the open and to talk about them in front of their partner.
Improvement in levels of communication
Along with closeness and commitment, communication is classed as one of the three C’s that make up a strong relationship. Invariably when relationships break down, so does communication. With this in mind, therapists use a variety of techniques to help the couple improve their levels of communication. Any skilled counselors will be able to give the couple pointers on which types of communication are effective, and which are destructive, and also how effective listening aids communication.
Working towards a stronger bond
Because much of the therapy involves focusing on problem areas, the therapist may also look at honing in on what the couple perceive as relationship strengths and also work on these areas to cement a far stronger and altogether more powerful relationship bond.
When it comes to relationship counselors, some may argue that seeking help  won’t be for everyone and in some cases individuals who are tied into damaging relationships may well be better off  apart. Whilst this may be true, for those that do go through the process and are willing to undertake whatever is needed to make the necessary changes, then couples therapy can be extremely effective and rewarding.
About the Author
I am a psychologist and a freelance writer on articles specifically related to psychology. Presently I am writing for Counselors, Culpeper VA. They provide services like Family counseling, marriage counseling and individual counseling for any sort of emotional or mental health issues.
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Effective Couples Therapy And How It Works

4 Small Ways To Strengthen Your Relationship

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fresh_valentine_vector_9_156912Ask any counselor and they’ll tell you that no relationship is perfect and we can all do things to strengthen them. With this in mind, let’s take a look at 4 ways that we can make small adjustments that will really cement that relationship bond.

A little gratitude goes a long way
Remembering to thank your partner may seem a little obvious but you may be surprised at how much those two simple words could mean. Studies have shown that on days where one partner said ‘thank you’ to the other, the recipient felt more relationship satisfaction. This is something that many relationship and marriage counseling services in Orange VA and the surrounding areas teach.

Have fun and joke around
Okay so maintaining a relationship is undoubtedly hard work and when you get into the nitty gritty of living together such as working, paying the bills, cooking and cleaning, quite often fun is one of the first things to disappear from a relationship. Ask any marriage counselor that if a lack of fun has been cited as a couple’s reasons for seeking help and you can be certain that the answer is going to be yes. When you can use fun to handle the tough stuff in relationships, then things get resolved far easier. Do inject some humor back into your relationship.

‘Go to town’ on good news
We all expect our partners to be there for us when times are tough, But equally important is how couples respond to each other during the good times. Counselors, Culpeper VA state that individual’s whose partners respond in an enthusiastic and interested manner tend to report a greater satisfaction in their overall relationship.

Say it with words
One of the most powerful exercises that sessions of couples therapists undertake is to get each party to write down their feelings. Being able to express your feelings using good old fashioned pen and paper in the form of a love letter or a romantic poem often gives far more meaning than even the most expensive of gifts.

Whether you decide to say thank you more often, say ‘I love you’ with a poem, or inject a bit of humor back into your relationship, it is possible to enhance it and cement that bond, by doing these little things.

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