Mental Health 101: Couples Therapy

Couples therapy is when you and your partner talk with a licensed therapist who is trained to help with relationship problems. The therapist listens to both of you and helps you figure out what’s causing the issues in your relationship. They guide the conversation so both people feel heard and understood. 

Couples therapy isn’t just for people who are thinking about breaking up. It can help with all sorts of relationship challenges, like communication problems, arguments or big life changes. 

Reasons to Try Couples Therapy

There are many reasons why couples might want to go to therapy. Here are some common ones: 

• Communication Problems: If you and your partner have trouble talking without getting into arguments or misunderstanding each other, therapy can help you learn how to communicate better.
• Feeling Distant: Sometimes couples feel like they’re growing apart or not as close as they used to be. Therapy can help you reconnect and understand each other’s needs.
• Trust Issues: If something has happened that caused trust to be broken, such as cheating or lying, therapy can may be able to help you work through those feelings and rebuild trust. 

What to Expect

If you’ve never had couples therapy before, here’s what you can expect: 

• Your First Session: In the first session, your therapist will ask questions to get to know both of you. They’ll want to learn about your relationship, your concerns and what you hope to get out of therapy. 
• Talking About Your Relationship: In each session, you and your partner will talk about the issues you’re facing. Your therapist will make sure both of you get a chance to share your thoughts and feelings without interrupting each other.
• Learning New Skills: Your therapist will teach you and your partner ways to communicate better and solve problems together. This might include learning how to listen without interruption, how to express your feelings in a calm way or how to work through disagreements in a healthy way. 
  

Couples therapy can help improve your relationship by teaching you and your partner how to communicate better, connect more meaningfully and handle life’s challenges together. Whether you’re dealing with serious issues or just want to improve your relationship, First Stop Health’s virtual therapy can be a helpful tool to bring you closer and make your relationship stronger.  Schedule a visit with a First Stop Health mental health provider to get started!