How to have a Healthy Marriage—Counselors and Psychologists in Atlanta, GA (Sandy Springs)
Couples or marriage counseling is a type of talk therapy which aims to encourage better communication and equip spouses or partners with the tools that will allow them to improve their relationship. It is strongly encouraged that both partners attend the counseling sessions – only then can they work together towards finding a solution to their problems. A successful marriage or couples therapy won’t provide one with ready-made answers – on the contrary, the aim of the therapy is to allow the couple to reach conclusions of their own. A counselor is an impartial arbiter who is there to foster constructive communication, teach partners to negotiate, listen to one another and better understand each other’s feelings and views.
Relationship Troubles: When To Seek Help?
Relationship counseling is often seen as a last resort solution for those couples who are on the verge of getting a divorce or separating. However, one doesn’t have to wait until things get so bad before seeking professional help – many couples, in fact, choose to join therapy to prevent future conflicts, to work towards an even healthier and happier relationship or to get ready for their forthcoming marriage or parenthood. On the other side of the spectrum there are couples who are facing serious difficulties – infidelity, conflict over financial issues, lack of agreement over core values and life expectations (e.g. having children) or loss of passion and interest in one another, for example. In these cases, couples or marriage counseling might be of particularly great benefit – allowing partners to settle their conflict or, at times, to part ways in a peaceful manner.
Identifying the right moment to seek professional help is not simple – every relationship is different and some couples might be more successful than others at dealing with their problems alone. Ultimately, it is down to both partners to decide when it is necessary to start marriage or couples counseling – although specialists note that once partners feel that the situation has reached a dead end and no progress can be made, it might be the right moment to do so.
Gottman Method: An Effective Approach to Couples Therapy
The Gottman Method is an effective approach to couples therapy that involves a detailed evaluation of one’s relationship as well as research-backed mediations. If you and your significant other choose to pursue Gottman Method Couples Therapy, you can expect it to follow this structure:
- Evaluation: First, your therapist will get to know you and your partner as a couple. Then, they will conduct individual interviews with each of you. After, your couples therapist will offer feedback about your relationship, based on their assessment.
- Frequency and duration: You and your partner will work with your couples therapist to determine the frequency and duration of your sessions.
- Therapeutic techniques: The Gottman Method helps couples improve their relationship in three main areas: friendship, conflict management, and shared meaning.
You can also expect to tackle the following with the help of your couples therapist: 1) build love maps to better understand your partner’s stressors, worries, hopes, and more, 2) grow affection and admiration for one another, 3) better understand each other’s needs, 4) improve problem-solving skills, and 5) better manage conflicts.
Thriveworks Atlanta has several counselors who are proud to offer Gottman Method Couples Therapy. These providers have Level 1 Training, which provides proven assessment procedures as well as intervention strategies. If you choose to work with one of these couples therapists, they will help you grow and improve the three main areas of your relationship mentioned above.
Couples And Marriage Therapy at Thriveworks Atlanta, GA
At Thriveworks Atlanta, GA in Sandy Springs we believe that finding a solution to your relationship problems is possible. We work with spouses and partners at diverse stages of their relationships, helping them tackle various issues and concerns. Thanks to our extensive experience we understand how to best help our clients – we tailor our couples and marriage counseling sessions to the individual needs of every couple. If you think you might need help, why not call us today to arrange your first marriage or couples counseling session.
