Relationships are essential to life, happiness and success. Whether with a lover, a friend, a family member, or a colleague, relationships may bring joy and satisfaction as well as pain and confusion. While relationships can be the focus of individual therapy, many people benefit more from meeting together in conjoint or couples therapy.
Meeting with a therapist together can facilitate open communication about issues and problems and gives the opportunity to make positive changes in the here-and-now. Couples therapy also enables partners to hear and to understand each other’s perspectives, which often leads to increased intimacy, compassion, and problem-solving.
In the beginning of couples therapy, it is important for both partners to share their intentions in seeking therapy and to verbalize their goals and expectations of therapy. Being open, honest, and non-judgmental in this process will enable both members to express themselves and to be heard.
If you are considering couples or conjoint therapy, have a discussion with your partner about your goals, interests and intentions. Setting up an appointment to meet with a therapist for the first time can bring up a lot of anxiety, so it is helpful to participate in this process together with an open mind. Feel free to call me to discuss your needs and goals and to set up an intake interview with you and your significant other.
