Does Couples Therapy Really Work?
1. Couples therapy is generally known as being one of the more difficult arenas within the field of therapy.
2. There are at least three clients – the two members of the couple and the relationship.
3. Both members must want the relationship, or at least be open to the therapeutic process to assist with resolving ambivalent feelings. It takes “two to tango”.
4. Couples therapy should never be utilized as a means to separate or to get a divorce. That betrays the process and the therapist who is there to work on committed relationships.
5. Individuals experiencing significant issues of addiction, abuse, rage, depression, anxiety, and anger should seek out individual and/or other therapies designed to address their individual issues.
6. Therapy is only successful when the two people are able to engage in open and honest communications, to be accountable for one’s role in the relationship problems, and when the individuals can accept challenge and have the capacity to grow emotionally, both individually and as a couple.
7. Ongoing abusive relationships are not appropriate for couples therapy.
8. Do not expect a therapist to empathize with you if you are reportedly abusive to your partner (and/or the therapist) or are not open to examining individual issues creating the unhealthy dynamic in the relationship.
9. No one can fix, cure, recreate or change another person.
10. Change must come from within.
11. Walking on eggshells is never a sign of a healthy relationship.
12. People must trust and respect their partner, feel emotionally safe with them, engage in healthy communications, understand themselves and their partner, work toward healing, and learn how to resolve inevitable conflicts.
13. The potential to grow and have a rewarding emotionally connected relationship is endless if the work is done.
Thank You.
