Couples counseling is a mode of counseling that involves working with two individuals; the identified client being the relationship. Couples counseling is unique in the aspect that for the relationship to improve, both partners need to participate. Although couples counseling does not always aim to simply improve the relationship, but at times to decide whether to conclude the relationship or not – Discernment Counseling.
The first and often biggest hurdle for couples in counseling is to shift their perspective from changes their partner needs to make to one of personal responsibility for the struggles. Once this shift occurs, the process of change can truly begin for the relationship.
Some issues commonly explored in Couples Counseling include:
- Blended Families
- Codependency
- Communication
- Conflict – extended families, money, etc.
- Co-Parenting
- Divorce/Separation
- Enhancement of the Relationship
- Infidelity
- Intimacy
- Life Transitions – new parents, loss of job, etc.
- Parenting
- Pre-marital Counseling
- Sexual Issues – addiction, desire, etc.