Couple Therapy
Couple therapy, also known as couples counseling or marriage counseling, is a type of psychotherapy aimed at improving the relationship between romantic partners. It provides a safe and supportive environment for couples to explore and address issues, conflicts, problem patterns and challenges within their relationship, with the goal of fostering greater understanding, communication, and intimacy. Many therapists have received specialized training in couple counseling beyond their graduate-level training. Some of the most popular training that couple therapists have received are: Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Gottman, Imago and (PACT) Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy.
Here's how couple therapy typically works:
Assessment: The therapist begins by conducting an assessment to understand the couple's presenting concerns, relationship history, communication patterns, and individual needs and goals. This may involve interviews, questionnaires, and assessments to gather information about the couple's strengths and areas of difficulty.
Establishing Goals: Based on the assessment, the therapist collaborates with the couple to establish clear and achievable goals for therapy. These goals may include improving communication, resolving conflicts, rebuilding trust, enhancing intimacy, or navigating major life transitions.
Exploration of Issues: In therapy sessions, couples have the opportunity to explore and discuss the issues, conflicts, and emotions that are impacting their relationship. The therapist provides a safe and nonjudgmental space for couples to express themselves openly and honestly, while also facilitating productive communication and problem-solving.
Skills Building: Couple therapy often involves teaching couples practical skills and techniques to improve their relationship dynamics. This may include communication skills training, conflict resolution strategies, active listening techniques, assertiveness training, and empathy-building exercises.
Understanding Relationship Patterns: The therapist helps couples gain insight into their relationship patterns, attachment styles, and underlying dynamics that may be contributing to conflicts or emotional distance. By understanding these patterns, couples can develop new ways of relating to each other and break free from negative cycles.
Promotion of Empathy and Validation: Couples therapy emphasizes the importance of empathy, validation, and understanding in relationships. The therapist helps couples develop empathy for each other's perspectives and experiences, fostering greater emotional connection and intimacy.
Exploration of Individual Issues: In addition to addressing relationship issues, couples therapy may also involve exploring individual issues that are impacting the relationship, such as past traumas, unresolved conflicts, or personal struggles. The therapist helps couples support each other in addressing these individual challenges while also strengthening their bond as a couple.
Homework Assignments: Couples may be assigned homework assignments between therapy sessions to practice and reinforce the skills learned in therapy. These assignments may include communication exercises, relationship-building activities, or self-reflection exercises.
Progress Monitoring: Throughout the course of therapy, the therapist monitors the couple's progress toward their goals and adjusts the treatment plan as needed. Couples are encouraged to provide feedback on their experiences in therapy and to communicate openly with the therapist about their needs and concerns.
Couple therapy provides couples with the tools, insights, and support they need to navigate challenges, strengthen their relationship, and build a fulfilling and lasting partnership. By working collaboratively with a skilled therapist, couples can learn to overcome obstacles, deepen their connection, and create a more satisfying and harmonious relationship.
About Holistic Psychotherapy & Wellness Manhattan
Kimberly Seelbrede, LCSW is a New York State licensed Psychotherapist, EMDR Practitioner and Couple Therapist with a private practice in New York City, Montana and virtually. As a wellness psychotherapist and holistic consultant, she has receive advanced, extensive training in Trauma Therapy, Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Somatic Experiencing (SE), and Nutrition & Integrative Medicine For Mental Health. She is passionate about honoring the exquisite interplay of the mind-body connection. Kimberly Seelbrede specializes in anxiety & mood disorders, trauma and women’s mental health. She brings over 20 years of counseling, coaching, and healing experience to her holistic practice and transformational work.
In addition to online therapy for anxiety, depression, trauma and relationship struggles, Holistic Psychotherapy & Wellness offers a wide variety of online services to fit the needs of busy professionals. New Yorkers often lead fast-paced and complex lives, which makes work-life balance and managing career, family and social obligations a challenge. Psychotherapy and wellness practices provides the support to help clients cultivate resources, resilience and enhanced emotional health, as well as uncover conflicts and obstacles that may interfere with having the life they desire.