Couples Therapy: Reestablishing Balance in Relationships

In today's world, the complexity and challenges of relationships inevitably increase. Many couples encounter various difficulties in their relationships over time and need help to cope with these challenges. This is where couples therapy comes in. Couples therapy is an effective therapy type used to address couples' relationship problems, improve communication skills, and establish healthy relationship dynamics.

Objectives of Couples Therapy

The primary goal of couples therapy is to help couples understand and resolve the problems within their relationship. This type of therapy aims to strengthen communication between couples, increase mutual understanding, and promote healthy relationship dynamics. Additionally, couples therapy guides couples in identifying and changing negative behaviors in their relationship.

How Does Couples Therapy Work?

Couples therapy is typically conducted with the guidance of a licensed therapist or counselor. The therapy process generally includes the following steps:

• Assessment: Initially, the therapist asks a series of questions to evaluate the couple's relationship. This process helps to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the relationship, aiding the therapist in determining intervention strategies.
• Goal Setting: The therapist and the couple establish their expectations and goals for therapy. These goals may involve resolving specific issues in the relationship or improving communication skills.
• Intervention and Work: The therapist suggests various techniques and strategies for couples to address their relationship problems. These techniques may include communication exercises, conflict resolution strategies, and empathy-building activities. Couples implement these techniques under the therapist's guidance and begin to observe positive changes in their relationship.
• Evaluation and Progress Monitoring: As the therapy progresses, the therapist monitors and evaluates the couple's progress. Progress monitoring helps couples assess the benefits they derive from therapy and provides an opportunity to adjust the therapy plan as needed.

What Are the Benefits of Couples Therapy?

Couples therapy provides many benefits, including:

• Development of Communication Skills: Couples therapy helps couples communicate with each other in a healthier manner. This enhances their ability to express their feelings, improve listening skills, and resolve conflicts constructively.
• Increased Mutual Understanding: The therapy process enables couples to better understand each other. This increases empathy in the relationship and helps in understanding the root causes of conflicts.
• Establishment of Healthy Boundaries: Couples therapy teaches couples to establish healthy boundaries and maintain personal space. This fosters respect and trust in the relationship.
• Formation of Positive Relationship Dynamics: The therapy process encourages couples to experience positive experiences together and helps in creating positive dynamics in the relationship.
• Support for Long-Term Relationship Health: Couples therapy equips couples with the necessary tools for long-term success in their relationship. This prevents the recurrence of relationship issues and helps couples develop a strong and supportive bond.

How Many Sessions Does Couples Therapy Last?

The duration of couples therapy can vary depending on the couple's needs, relationship dynamics, and interactions with the therapist. Generally, couples therapy consists of several sessions and often encompasses a long-term process. However, the number of sessions required entirely depends on the couple's specific situation. While a few sessions may suffice for some couples, others may require a longer process. Couples therapy is tailored to address specific issues, goals, and needs within the relationship. The length of therapy may also depend on factors such as how early the couple begins therapy, the level of participation in therapy, and the trust relationship with the therapist.

Couples therapy is a process that requires time and effort to make profound changes in the relationship. Therefore, it is important for couples to be patient and actively participate in the therapy process. Open communication with the therapist is crucial for determining and planning the necessary process for effective therapy.

In Conclusion

Couples therapy is an effective support system for couples who want to cope with the challenges in their relationships. This therapy guides couples in improving communication skills, increasing mutual understanding, and establishing healthy relationship dynamics. Collaborative work and participation in the therapy process encourage positive changes in the relationship and support long-term relationship health.

Prof. Dr. Müge Yılmaz

Psychotherapist