When former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle were in the White House, the affection between this picture-perfect couple was obvious. They smiled at each other, held hands, and danced together joyously at public events.
But, like any couple, they have their ups and downs. When life got particularly stressful, the couple sought marriage counseling in order to work through their issues. Michelle has spoken publicly about their experience to help raise awareness for couples counseling and help other couples realize that there isn’t anything wrong with reaching out for support.
No matter how much you and your partner love each other, there will be times when you disagree and argue. Emotions will run high, feelings may get hurt, and it may take some time to find your balance as a couple again.
But when frequent arguments or issues become the norm, it might be time to reach out to a mental health professional who specializes in marriage and family counseling. Couples therapy sessions can help you ease tension, resolve conflict, and rekindle that spark that brought you together in the first place.
When you’re ready to seek advice from a couples counselor, contact us at Thriveworks Counseling in Roseville, CA to schedule an appointment.
The Benefits of Couples Counseling
Couples decide to come to couples therapy for all sorts of reasons. Some of the most common issues addressed in relationship counseling include:
- Lack of physical or emotional intimacy
- Poor communication
- Persistent arguments
- Conflicting parenting styles
- Jealousy and trust issues
- Financial struggles
- Major life changes
- Infidelity
- Harmful behavioral patterns
If you find yourself facing one or more of these common relationship issues, our licensed marriage and family therapists at Thriveworks can help. Consider reaching out to start building a more supportive, collaborative, and loving partnership.
How Does Couples Therapy and Marriage Counseling Work?
Whether you’re constantly bickering over the same things or dealing with difficult family issues, working with a couples therapist can be the key to easing tension in your relationship. As long as you are both committed to improving your partnership, there is hope for the future.
Licensed marriage counselors have clinical experience working with couples and will provide you with a safe, confidential space in which to discuss your issues, goals, and concerns. Couples therapy centers around helping both partners learn more effective ways to interact and communicate while also brainstorming about ways you can show your love for each other despite the conflict.
Most forms of couples therapy focus on developing effective communication skills and strengthening your appreciation and love for each other. There are several forms of couples counseling, including:
- Emotionally focused therapy (EFT), where a therapist guides couples in assessing their emotional responses and interactions, resolving past issues, and developing a deeper bond.
- The Gottman Method, which helps partners increase their overall closeness, respect, and affection. This type of therapy focuses on four specific relationship issues: criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling.
- Narrative therapy, which coaches couples to identify and name — or narrate — their internalized issues, which can then be viewed and addressed from multiple angles to make changes for the better. You will learn how to make room in your life for new narratives and find ways to reframe and externalize your problems so you can see them more objectively.
While many couples meet with their therapists in person, many others choose to meet remotely via phone calls or video chats to better accommodate their busy schedules. Whether you choose online or in-person therapy, you can rest assured that our professionals at Thriveworks Counseling in Roseville, CA are here to address your concerns and help you build a stronger bond.
Schedule an Appointment at Thriveworks Counseling in Roseville, CA
You don’t need to work through sensitive relationship issues on your own. Schedule an appointment with an expert couples counselor at Thriveworks Counseling in Roseville, CA to develop some valuable skills and learn how to treat each other with even more love and respect.
At Thriveworks, it’s simple to make an in-person or remote appointment. Simply call our scheduling team or click our booking widget to get started. Plus, new clients can often see a therapist within 24-48 hours of reaching out. Thriveworks accepts most major insurance plans and our offices open early and stay open late — even on weekends!
In between appointments, you can access your therapist via email or phone or leverage our ask-a-coach 24-hour Q&A service. Additional support is also available through our online community discussions moderated by mental health professionals and our library of exclusive video content.
When you’re ready to reconnect as a couple, we’re here to help. Contact Thriveworks Counseling in Roseville, CA to schedule an appointment with a counselor for relationship therapy today.
