Marriage counseling, also known as couples therapy and relationship counseling, helps couples work through their specific relationship issues. Thriveworks marriage counseling in Houston, TX 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 Marriage counseling include:
- Jealousy
- Trust issues
- Infidelity
- Opposing values
- Different visions for the future
- Disagreements in parenting
- Lack of trust
- Financial distress
- Sex issues
Marriage counseling 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 marriage counseling 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.
On average, couples attend marriage counseling for 12 weeks. However, marriage counseling may last longer or shorter, dependent on the couples’ needs, the challenges they’d like to work through, and the pace of their progress. Marriage counselors and therapists at Thriveworks in Houston, TX work with their clients to create goals, decide on ideal timelines, and establish treatment plans.
Houston Marriage Counseling—Relationship Help in Houston, TX
All relationships are unique and deciding when to seek professional help may be a good idea, especially if you and your partner have become indifferent towards each other, or that small arguments escalate quickly.
It could also be that infidelity, financial problems, or other relationship issues have begun to impact your relationship—Thriveworks Houston can help.
Our professional couples therapy or marriage counseling may assist in repairing your relationships If you and your spouse are open to talking to a professional, consider reaching out to Thriveworks Counseling in Houston, TX. We can set you up with a licensed professional marriage counselor right away. And you can choose to work with them online or in-person!
Marriage Counseling: What To Expect?
Couples and marriage counseling is a form of psychotherapy intended for both partners to attend (although at times only one person may choose to participate). A counselor’s role is to be the impartial facilitator who helps guide the couple towards improved communication, a greater understanding of each other’s feelings and positions, as well as to teach them how to tackle some of the fundamental problems they experience.
Some of the approaches used in couples and marriage counseling at Thriveworks include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): This approach focuses on identifying and modifying negative thought patterns and behaviors within the relationship, aiming to improve communication and problem-solving skills.
- Emotionally focused therapy (EFT): EFT helps couples identify and understand underlying emotions and attachment needs, fostering a deeper emotional connection and strengthening the bond between partners.
- Gottman method: Based on extensive research, this approach emphasizes building friendship, managing conflict constructively, and creating shared meaning to enhance relationship satisfaction.
- Solution-focused therapy (SFT): This brief and goal-oriented approach focuses on identifying and building upon the strengths and resources within the relationship, encouraging couples to envision and work towards their preferred future together.
- Integrative therapy: Integrative couples counseling draws from multiple therapeutic approaches to tailor treatment to the unique needs and preferences of each couple, combining techniques from various modalities for optimal outcomes
Common Relationship Issues
Here are some of the most marital problems:
- Stress, at work, at home, or financially
- Mental illness like depression, anxiety, and addiction
- Infidelity, jealousy, and trust issues
- Parental disagreements
- Different visions for the future
The nature of counseling as an educational experience means that often after only 2 or 3 months a couple will be able to cease professional counseling and will have learned how to manage their conflicts independently.
That said, if you do need or want more time in counseling, that’s okay too. There is no judgment here. We want you to feel safe and comfortable throughout the duration of this journey.
Marriage Counseling At Thriveworks Houston, TX
At Thriveworks Houston, TX, our marriage and couples counselors work with spouses and partners at all stages of their relationships and help them to tackle any problem that may arise. We recognize that every couple is different and there is no ‘one size fits all’ therapy method appropriate for every couple.
We tailor our counseling sessions to the individual needs of our clients. Reach out to us today to arrange your first session with a marriage counselor or couples therapist; you can give us a call or book online to get started today.
