Couples Therapy

It is important to realize that couples therapy, marriage counseling and marital therapy are all the same. These different names have been used to describe the same process, with the difference often based on which psychotherapy theory is favored by the therapist using the term. Couples therapy is often seen as different from individual psychotherapy because a relationship is the focus of attention, instead of one individual diagnosed with a specific psychological problem.

Couples therapy focuses on the problems existing in the relationship between two people. But, these relationship problems usually involve individual issues as well as relationship conflicts. All changes, involve both individual symptoms and changes in interpersonal relationships.

These changes may be different ways of interacting within the relationship, or they may be individual changes related to personal psychological problems. Couples therapy involves learning how to communicate more effectively, and how to listen more closely. Couples must learn how to avoid competing with each other, and need to identify common life goals and how to share responsibilities within their relationship. Sometimes the process is very similar to individual psychotherapy, sometimes it is more like mediation, and sometimes it is educational. The combination of these components is what makes it effective.

For more information on couples and marital therapy, call me at my Raleigh office at (919) 696-4891.