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Discover how starting couples therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
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Evening and weekend sessions
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Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
David:
My favorite approach to couples/marriage counseling comes from John and Julie Gottman, referred to as a Sound Marital House. I enjoy using his Love Maps and the idea of Turning Toward versus Turning Away. Gottman refers to a particularly important issue in relationships called The Four Horsemen and their Antidotes, simply because most couples who are in conflict are seen in at least one of these “Horsemen.”
Cecilie:
I like to approach couples/marriage therapy with a lot of curiosity and empathy to better develop an understanding of each person's experience and how it has impacted them to the extent that they are asking for help.
David:
I often use Sue Johnson's Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy because it gets the couple talking “to” each other rather than “at” each other. When one or the other begins talking to me in the room, I often tell them to look at their spouse or partner and talk to them rather than me. Another rather easy tool is to help each member of the couple understand their partner's Love Language, a concept taught by Gary Chapman.
Cecilie:
I introduce “fair fighting rules” to establish healthy and respectful communication in the session, and encourage this practice outside of the session. Clients learn to recognize defensive and counterattack statements, as well as when a person's bias and expectations intrude on other people's feelings. We also practice taking personal responsibility and how to listen to feedback.
David:
I can tell a client is making meaningful progress in couples/marriage counseling when they show signs of really understanding each other in conversation — not just hearing each other, but comprehending what their partner is meaning as well as feeling.
Cecilie:
Progress is occurring when clients can identify the strengths and values of each other, accept feedback, practice healthy boundaries, and feel comfortable bringing up difficult topics.
David:
Clients can supplement their time in couples/marriage counseling by making sure their time together has both “quality” and “quantity.” I typically give homework and things to practice during the week, and each session begins with asking how their practice went.
Cecilie:
The couple can use the time outside of sessions to practice new routines, use fair fighting rules during communication, and take time to enjoy each others' company.
David:
To prepare for your first couples/marriage counseling session, I would encourage you to jot down some notes, in writing so you are prepared, of what specific things you feel the need for in your relationship, i.e. when and what you argue the most about, what you do when upset, and what works as well as what doesn't work in resolving conflict. Quite often, you have the answer and simply haven't figured it out yet. I have been known to say, “There is an expert in this room and I am not it,” meaning I will do the best I can to help you discover the answer that may be within you already.
Cecilie:
Clients need to be present and agree to attend therapy. Having a comfortable and private space is important, as well as making sure the online platform works on your device. Be prepared to answer a wide variety of questions for the assessment, which might not have a lot to do with the primary problem. Also, knowing any medications and their dosage is really helpful. But overall, just take a deep breath and be open and honest about the problems you are experiencing.
Thriveworks Couples therapy helps couples work through their specific relationship issues. It is led by licensed professionals — often licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs) — who are experts in their field and best-equipped to help couples. Some examples of common focuses within couples therapy include:
Couples therapy works by helping couples identify and better navigate their unique challenges. Following an initial assessment of the couple in terms of strengths and needs, the therapist would then discuss their therapeutic goals and any possible approaches or ways of working together as therapist and couple.
Couples attend sessions together, whether they meet in person or by video. In addition to regular couples therapy sessions, each partner may also be asked to attend a few individual sessions to supplement their progress. This will allow their counselor to get to know each individual better, assess each of their personal needs, and develop the very best treatment plan moving forward.
Couples therapy at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and via Online therapy. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you and your partner.
On average, couples attend couples therapy for 12 weeks. However, couples therapy may last longer or shorter, dependent on the couples’ needs, the challenges they’d like to work through, and the pace of their progress.
Relationship counseling provides couples with a safe place to discuss their problems, learn healthy habits, and build a stronger connection. If your relationship has hit a snag and you’d like support, consider relationship counseling at Thriveworks Counseling in Anchorage, AK. Call our office or use our simple online scheduling tool to get started today.
Dealing with friction and arguments is a normal part of any relationship. For that reason, many people often wait to bring their issues to a couples counselor or therapist. However, many professionals encourage people to reach out for help before things seem like they’re on the brink of disaster.
Some common reasons that couples want to start working with a counselor include:
Couples can deal with these issues at all stages of their relationships, whether they’re dating, engaged, or married. Wherever you are in your relationship, clients who bring these kinds of issues can see how working through them with a professional improves their relationships and makes them more confident in who they are as a partner.
You also don’t need to be facing a specific issue to go into therapy or counseling. Some couples start sessions to get a “check-up” or to work on strengthening one part of a relationship where they otherwise feel strong. Other times, couples come in with the sense that something is “off,” though they can’t pinpoint a specific reason.
Deciding to go to couples counseling or therapy is an important first step that shows both you and your partner are willing to put in the work for your relationship. What that work looks like in your sessions can depend on a few components, most notably, the issue you are experiencing. Though the methods of treatment can differ slightly, these forms of counseling all emphasize the importance of skills and practices such as:
Attending therapy or counseling means you and your partner will have a professional to help you develop clear and actionable goals to build and reinforce these skills. No matter where you’re at in your relationship, working with a counselor or therapist from Thriveworks Counseling in Anchorage, AK, can help you solve your problems and grow closer as a couple.
Couples therapy and marriage counseling can help you overcome the issues you’re facing as a couple. Your provider will help you understand your challenges and move forward as one.
We understand that finding time for mental health care can be difficult, especially when scheduling appointments for multiple people. At Thriveworks Counseling in Anchorage, AK, we offer evening and weekend sessions to help you fit therapy into your busy schedule.
Some of our clients love our online appointment options –– you can work with a provider conveniently over a video chat. We won’t put you on a waitlist, and many of our new clients can see a professional within the same week as scheduling.
Couples therapy or marriage counseling can help you strengthen your relationship with your significant other. Call our office at Thriveworks Counseling in Anchorage, AK, to set up your first appointment.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
Wednesday | 8:00am - 9:00pm | |
Thursday | 8:00am - 9:00pm | |
Friday | 8:00am - 9:00pm | |
Saturday | 8:00am - 9:00pm | |
Sunday | 8:00am - 9:00pm | |
Monday | 8:00am - 9:00pm | |
Tuesday | 8:00am - 9:00pm |
Shown in AKST
Wednesday | 8:00am - 9:30pm | |
Thursday | 8:00am - 9:30pm | |
Friday | 8:00am - 9:30pm | |
Saturday | 8:00am - 6:00pm | |
Sunday | 8:00am - 6:00pm | |
Monday | 8:00am - 9:30pm | |
Tuesday | 8:00am - 9:30pm |
Shown in AKST