- Couples who are struggling in their relationship may benefit from therapy that specifically addresses their relationship challenges.
- Although some couples may feel nervous about their first session, they often find the experience to be valuable and calming.
- The initial session is a fact-finding session where the therapist will ask couples therapy questions about your relationship history and the challenges you’re facing.
- Couples therapists use a range of techniques and approaches to help couples resolve their issues, including open discussions, role-modelling, role-playing, and identifying negative patterns of behaviour.
- Experienced couples therapists and psychologists undergo training to remain neutral and unbiased when providing therapy to couples so they understand the elements that make up an intimate relationship
Couples who have never undergone relationship therapy may feel uncertain about the process and ultimately are scratching there heads to find a way to build a trusting relationship. They may wonder how the therapist will approach the session, if the therapist will be impartial, or what they might have to disclose during the therapy.
Many couples who have never undergone relationship therapy before may feel nervous about the process.
However, if they approach it with an open mindset and a desire to work together with their partner, the results can be highly beneficial for their relationship. In fact, the positive effects of couples therapy have been shown to endure long after therapy has ended.
Many relationship problems can be pinpointed and addressed in couples counselling. While each therapist may have their own approach, common issues addressed in therapy include communication breakdowns, conflicting values and expectations, and a lack of trust. These are just some of the most frequent sources of conflict in relationships.
Preparing For My First First Counselling Session
For your first therapy session of couples counselling, no specific preparation is required. While some couples may choose to reflect on their reasons for seeking therapy and the topics they would like to discuss, this is not necessary.
An experienced couples counsellor will be able to facilitate the conversation and guide you and your partner to address the challenges in your relationship by asking thought-provoking questions.
If you are interested in the costs of your first appointment – you can find out the details by clicking here.
What topics are covered in my first Session
At the beginning of your relationship counselling journey, the therapist will establish the framework and guidelines for therapy so that you and your partner understand the counselling process. During this initial session, you and your partner can anticipate a discussion on topics such as confidentiality, circumstances that require mandatory reporting (e.g. cases of child abuse), their cancellation policies, and the techniques they utilize to work with couples on their relationship problems.
After this information has been established, the therapist will typically take a short overview of your relationship and the issues that brought you to counselling. They may ask questions like:
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What difficulties have arisen in your relationship?
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For how long have these difficulties been present in your relationship?
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Have you undergone relationship therapy in the past?
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What steps have you and your partner taken to resolve the difficulties?
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What do you hope to achieve through couples counselling?
The first session of couples counselling primarily serves as an information-gathering stage. Despite this, it is not uncommon for real and pressing issues to arise and be addressed during this session.
Once the counsellor has a better understanding of the issues present in the relationship, the actual work of counselling begins in the second session. This is when the details and boundaries of the therapy have been established, allowing both partners and the therapist to focus on resolving the relationship issues at hand.
How is a Couples counselling session conducted?
Typically, couples attend a relationship counselling session together, at the start. This helps build a relationship with the couples counsellor focused solely on the couple and their relationship. While some couples find it beneficial to see the counsellor individually, others continue to attend sessions as a couple.
However, if an individual in the relationship is facing personal issues such as depression or addiction, the couples counsellor may recommend seeking additional individual therapy from another psychologist or clinician.
The first priority of a couples session is to create a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere for both partners. The goal is to build trust with the counsellor so that personal and sensitive topics can be openly discussed.
A skilled and ethical therapist will make every effort to ensure that both partners have the opportunity to express their perspectives and contribute to the discussion about the challenges in the relationship.
The therapist may employ a variety of techniques during relationship counselling
to aid you and your significant other in therapy. These may include:
- Engaging in open and honest discussions of challenging topics
- Expressing emotions
- Examining communication patterns and behaviours
- Providing tools to enhance communication skills
- Acting out scenarios
- Demonstrating positive behaviours
- Delving into your individual childhood and family backgrounds
- Highlighting inconsistencies in behaviour between you and your partner.
Additionally, you might be given assignments between sessions to enhance the therapy experience. These tasks also referred to as homework, can include practicing non-sexual touch, keeping a diary of feelings or arguments, or reporting back on experiences. These activities can aid in the progress of the counselling process.
How do couples normally benefit from couples therapy in Perth?
Many couples can greatly benefit from couples therapy as the root cause of their relationship problems often stem from poor communication rather than a lack of love and care for each other. Studies have shown that communication difficulties are the top reason for relationship breakdowns.
The benefits of couples counselling can include:
- Learning better communication skills and how to really listen to our partner without jumping to conclusions or starting an argument;
- Learning how to better understand the struggles, challenges and fears of our partner;
- Learning how to fight and disagree with each other without destroying each other in the process;
- Improving intimacy, both sexual and non-sexual;
- Learning how to honour family relationships (particularly in blended families);
- Learning about personal boundaries and past history that we may not have known before;
- Deciding whether there is enough of a relationship to salvage;
- Mediation for a relationship that is ending.
Where do I go for relationship counselling in Perth?
If you and your partner are struggling in your relationship or want to learn how to connect more deeply and emotionally, you may find that talking with a professional counsellor in Perth, a therapy session may be very helpful for relieving relationship stress or working through communication issues. For more information or to schedule a consultation with a qualified counsellor, check out the Energetics Institute for Couples counselling in Perth.
References
Casado-Kehoe, M., Holman, A.R., & McAdams, C.R. (2010). Teaching family counselling. In Karen Eriksen (Ed.) Handbook of Counsellor Preparation. Sage.
Caldwell, K., & Claxton, C. (2010) Teaching family systems theory: A developmental constructivist perspective.
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