Inclusive Couples’ Therapy and Relationship Counseling

What is relationship counseling?

Relationship therapy can take many forms. Essentially, it is a safe space for partners to talk about and explore their behavior and how it can affect the other person and the relationship.

Commonly known as couples therapy, relationship counseling is when a licensed therapist works with couples and couples’ issues. The therapist can help talk through a variety of issues and relationship obstacles. Those can include physical and psychological problems or anything that can affect the couple as a unit. This can include conflicts, happiness in the relationship, sexual issues, substance abuse, grief, eating disorders, child behavioral problems, and broader family issues.

Counselors are trained to work with a wide range of intimate relationships, which may or may not be in crisis mode. Relationship counseling can be preventative. Therapy before marriage or the birth of a new child can help strengthen bonds and prevent major tension from occurring. Relationship therapy can reveal underlying issues, past trauma, or help each person prepare for upcoming challenges.

Which therapists offer relationship counseling?

Successful therapy often starts with identifying the right kind of therapist for your situation. Not every therapist specializes in marriage, relationship therapy, or divorce counseling, but any licensed therapist can offer relationship therapy.

Licensed marriage and family therapists

Licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFT) are mental health clinicians with a master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy (or a related field). They also complete hours of supervised clinical experience as required by each state. Licensed therapists must also pass a state or national licensing exam before practicing independently.

Counselors, psychologists, clinical social workers, and other therapists

Many licensed social workers, psychologists, and counselors are all trained to provide relationship counseling. Each therapist’s experience with will differ, so take time to review their profile and ask questions.

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What to expect in relationship counseling

Couples heading into their first therapy session should expect an adjustment period. A therapist will take time to get to know both partners. Sometimes, a therapist may ask to speak to each member separately.

Once the therapist understands the history, details, and challenges of the relationship, they may help the couple set some goals for what they want to accomplish with therapy.

Finding a couples’ therapist

Finding the right therapist can involve some work, as each member wants to find someone they feel comfortable talking to. Couples should also consider if they need a therapist with specific training on a particular issues, such as substance use or depression.

Friends and family members will likely recommendations to help you start your search. Therapists should have an online profile detailing their areas of focus and experience. Narrowing down the list by filtering for specialties, background, and accepted insurances can help when looking for the right therapist.

Can my regular therapist also be my relationship therapist?

A couples’ therapist can fulfill many roles and address a wide range of issues that can affect a relationship. For that reason, a couples’ therapist is usually different from a patient’s regular therapist. This can also help avoid conflicts of interests, reduce the chances a therapist will take one person’s side, and preserve patient confidentiality. While a couples’ therapist might meet separately with each partner, this is not the same as individual therapy.

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Relationship Resources