What to Know About Couples Counselling

At ABRI, we get a lot of inquiries for couples counselling so we think it would be good to share an educational piece on what couples counselling is about.

Couples counselling, also known as couples therapy or marriage counselling, is a form of therapy that focuses on improving the relationship between partners. This is where they would work with a trained therapist to address issues, strengthen their bond, and navigate challenges together. More importantly, it is a dynamic process that requires commitment and openness from both partners because without the right attitudes, couple sessions may not be effective.

Here are some ways couples counselling can help your relationship:

1. Improved Communication: This is the number one question we get when we receive inquiries – do your couples counsellors work on communication issues between partners? Yes! Effective communication is the foundation for a healthy relationship. In session, the therapist would look into how the couple communicates then provide tools and techniques to enhance communication skills. The goal is to teach couples how to express their needs, concerns, and emotions to each other more effectively.
2. Conflict Resolution: Every relationship faces conflicts, and conflict is normal and healthy, but how couples navigate these conflicts can determine the health of their relationship. Are you aware of how you and your partner disagree or argue, and what kind of ways both of you use to deal with conflict? Couples counselling teaches conflict resolution strategies, helping partners address disagreements constructively and find mutually satisfactory solutions.
3. Increased Understanding: Do you often feel like you and your partner are on different wavelengths? This is a really common issue and one of the primary goals of couples counselling is to help partners gain deeper insights into each other’s thoughts, feelings, and perspectives. A healthy relationship is a connected relationship and in relationships with low levels of understanding, there is a lot of disconnection happening, which over time may lead to increased conflict and distance between the couple.
4. Strengthened Connection: Over time, relationships may experience challenges that strain the connection between partners. For example, sometimes as couples grow older, they may grow or change in different ways, and sometimes the lack of awareness of these growing differences becomes a source of strain. It is also common to hear couples taking each other for granted as time goes by. Couples counselling provides opportunities to reconnect emotionally, rediscover shared values and goals, and rebuild intimacy and trust.

Again, for emphasis, both partners must be willing to participate actively and engage in the process. This is something we share with people who inquire about couples counselling at ABRI. It’s essential to recognize that seeking therapy is a collaborative effort aimed at improving the relationship, rather than placing blame on one another. When both parties are committed to attending sessions and working towards positive change, the likelihood of success is significantly higher. This is similar for individual therapy – commitment is a strong contributor to success.

“How many sessions will we need until our relationship is fixed?” This is a FAQ from enquirers. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as much as we would like to provide a definite answer. Every relationship is unique, and the process of healing and growth varies for each couple. A lot of it would come down to the complexity of issues, commitment and effort, communication and compatibility.

The role of the therapist in couples counselling is to serve as a neutral third party, offering guidance, support, and perspective without taking sides or passing judgment. The therapist creates a safe and non-judgmental space where partners can explore their feelings, concerns, and challenges openly. While the therapist provides insight and facilitates discussions, they do not serve as a relationship savior. Instead, they empower couples to take ownership of their relationship and work together towards growth and healing.

We hope you learned more about couples counselling in this post. With the guidance of a skilled therapist, couples can navigate the complexities of their relationship and move towards deeper connection and intimacy. Remember that your relationship does not need to be in crisis before you seek help!

We also want to share added value for seeking couples counselling at ABRI:

1. Our couples counsellors are queer-affirmative.
2. Our couples counsellors are also open to seeing the couple separately for individual sessions alongside their couples sessions.

If you are ready to start your couples counselling journey, reach out to us via Whatsapp. Still have more questions? Happy to answer them over Whatsapp too!