Do you and your significant other need couples therapy? If so, what kind? Is it the “extensive-interpersonal-relationship” kind that’s right for you? Or is it the individualized-relationship kind that’ll help you beef up your relationship without destroying it in the process? The truth is, everyone needs to talk more than they need to seek therapy. But what if your relationship status isn’t good enough to get you into a typical therapist’s office? What if you and your partner have trouble getting along or expressing yourself clearly when talking about important issues like sex, money, or family? In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of couples therapy for both people who are already in a relationship as well as people who think they may be in a couple but aren’t sure.
What’s the difference between individual and couple’s therapy?
Everyone needs to talk more than they need to seek therapy. That’s a given. But what if your relationship status isn’t good enough to get you into a typical therapist’s office? What if you and your partner have trouble getting along or expressing yourself clearly when talking about important issues like sex, money, or family? Then couples therapy may be the perfect option for you. Couples therapy is designed to help people repair the damage done by relationships that failed or were abandoned. It’s particularly helpful for people who are in situations in which they feel hurt or abandoned. It’s also helpful for people who are in relationships that feel incomplete or unfulfilling.
Does couples therapy only work with married people?
Not exactly. Couples therapy can work for anyone, including people who are single and thinking about getting involved with someone. Just make sure to get started on this journey early so you don’t wait too long before starting. As with most things in life, the earlier you start, the better. You don’t want to wait until you’re in your 50s or 60s to start seeing a therapist. Once you start seeing a therapist, you should consider yourself proactive. You should consider seeing a therapist whenever you’re in a relationship or think you may be in one.
Should you go to therapy if you and your partner are having problems?
If you’re in a relationship and one of you is having a hard time regulating your emotions or expressing yourself, it may be a good idea to talk to your partner about your feelings. That’s no different than if you were on your own and wanted to figure out what was wrong with you. Therapy isn’t meant to be a one-on-one relationship counseling. It’s meant to be a way for you to open up the lines of communication with your partner so that you can both feel heard and comfortable talking to each other about what’s on your mind.
Is Couples Therapy right for Everyone?
As with everything, the answer to this question is depends on your individual needs. Whether you’re in a healthy relationship or you’re single and ready to try out therapy, we’ve got tips to help you decide whether couples therapy is right for you. If you and your partner have always been close and you have a good relationship now, it may be time to consider couples therapy. Still, if you don’t see a need for couples therapy and aren’t actively looking for a relationship, it may be best to avoid it. In general, individuals who have difficulty expressing themselves, stress over their relationship, or feel vulnerable or at risk tend to benefit the most from couples therapy. On the other hand, those whose issues are more general, such as those who worry a lot about being alone or who just wants to be more selective about who they open up to, may not gain from the therapy as much.
Pros of Couples Therapy: more options, less pressure, better fit
When you go to couples therapy, you’ll probably spend the majority of your time talking to your partner about your problems and issues. This is a good thing, as it will help you find the courage to open up to each other and get to the root of your problems. If you’re both open-minded, it may be that you two have a match made in heaven: you both have something you want to talk about, and you both need to talk to someone about it. At the same time, you can expect to go through some therapy together, so don’t be afraid to open up about your feelings with your partner, too. If you’ve been putting off talking to your partner about certain things, you may be afraid of the depth of the conversation and the impact it will have on your relationship. But even if you have a wide range of feelings about various things, having your partner by your side as you open up about them can be helpful.
Pros of Couples Therapy: limits and boundaries, additional costs, potential for long-term commitment
If you and your partner decide to go for it and get married, you’ll of course have to pay for Couples Therapy whether you’re in a relationship or not. But as we mentioned above, even if you’re in a relationship, you should still consider yourself proactive by seeing a therapist. That way, you’ll have the opportunity to get help for your issues before they become big problems for your relationship. Beyond that, couples therapy is nothing more than two people getting together and talking to understand each other better. As such, it has less pressure than a one-on-one session would have and is a much better fit for couples who generally have better communication than singles do. If you and your partner have always been close and you have a good relationship now, it may be time to consider couples therapy. Still, if you don’t see a need for couples therapy and aren’t actively looking for a relationship, it may be best to avoid it.
Bottom line
Whether you and your significant other are in a healthy relationship or you are just starting to explore the dating scene, couples therapy can be a helpful tool. To get the most out of couples therapy, both you and your partner should open up the lines of communication and get to know each other better. Not only will talking to someone about what’s on your mind make you feel better, but it may also make your relationship stronger. If you’re unsure whether couples therapy is right for you, or you’d just like to hear someone else’s opinion, you can find a therapist near you here. Before you decide whether couples therapy is right for you or your significant other, you may want to speak with a professional about what your needs are and what therapy can do for you.