Couples Therapy

Couples therapy helps couples, married or not, straight or gay, understand and resolve conflicts or improve their relationship. Couples are given tools to communicate better, negotiate differences, problem-solve and even argue in a healthier way.

Couples therapy focuses on the problems existing in the relationship between two people. But, these relationship problems always involve individual symptoms and problems, as well as the relationship conflicts. For example, if you are constantly arguing with your spouse or partner, you will probably also be chronically anxious, angry or depressed (or all three). Or, if you have difficulty controlling your temper, you will have more arguments with your partner.  Additionally, there are many social issues concerning gay couples that can seriously influence negative feelings in these relationships.

In couples therapy, you and your partner will identify the conflict issues within your relationship, and decide what changes are needed, in the relationship and in the behavior of each partner, for both of you to feel satisfied with the relationship.

These changes may be different ways of interacting within the relationship, or they may be individual changes related to personal psychological problems. Couples must learn how to avoid competing with each other, how to identify common life goals and how to share responsibilities within their relationship. Sometimes the process is very similar to individual psychotherapy, sometimes it is more like mediation, and sometimes it is educational. The combination of these three components is what makes it effective.