Couple's Therapy
How is couple's therapy structured?
The structure of couple's therapy is unique to each couple we meet with, and is typically something that your therapist will discuss with you in the first few sessions. It is most common that your couple's therapist will meet with you and your partner(s) together for the first session and, from there, a combination of one-on-one and joint sessions is likely.
Couple's therapy is available in-person and online. We know that couples are busy and it can be hard to find the time to attend appointments together on a regular basis. Online couple's therapy may be a great fit for you if you find that time together is hard to come by. Learn more about our online therapy services here.
How often do we need to come to therapy? How many sessions do we need?
There is no one-size fits all when it comes to couple/partner therapy. The frequency and number of your sessions is something that will be determined by a variety of factors, including: your availability, your therapist's availability, your concerns, your financial resources, etc. We work with clients looking for short-term (1-3 sessions), long-term (4-20 sessions), and on-going (20+ sessions) therapy. The depth and breadth of work we can do with you depends, to some extent, on the number of sessions that you are committed to. If you have questions about frequency and number of sessions, please don't hesitate to discuss it with your therapist in the first session (or at any point in the therapy process).
How is Couple/partner Therapy different from individual therapy?
Couple/partner therapy is more than just individual therapy multiplied. It is a complex and dynamic process that involves the transactional and communicational patterns between partners. In couple/partner therapy, the relationship is the client; the relationship is seen as a living, breathing being of its own that exists between the individuals involved and takes into consideration the hopes, needs, and desires of each partner. There are times during the process when your therapist may suggest one-on-one sessions with each partner. There are also times when your therapist may refer you or your partner(s) to a separate individual therapist, in conjuction with work the work you’re doing together or perhaps in preparation for more intensive couple/partner work, depending on the concerns.
What approaches do you use with intimate partners?
Our therapists draw from a number of approaches when working with couples/partners, including Emotion-Focused Couples Therapy, Imago Relationship Therapy, Gottman Method Couples Therapy, and more. Please see our "About" page for more information on approaches used.