Every relationship has its ebbs and flows, times when things work well and periods where the unexpected challenges of living come between the two of you. Couples counseling can be a practical relationship tool that returns balance to your partnership.
Some people are surprised to learn that the techniques used in couples therapy are quantifiable and reliable. The therapists at Wellness Road Psychology in New York City and Dobbs Ferry are down-to-earth and focused on practical solutions for you and your partner.
Your therapist develops counseling sessions to meet your unique needs, though there are some common techniques used to achieve progress. Emotionally focused therapy (EFT) is often used in relationship counseling, and its effectiveness is estimated at about 75% according to the American Psychological Association.
Success rates for EFT come by way of evaluation processes like the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS), used since the mid-1970s to measure improvements across the counseling timeline. Results consistently show improvements over control groups.
In addition, couples counseling tends to deliver high satisfaction numbers. Some research shows couples reporting positive results of over 98%.
The team at Wellness Road Psychology can help your relationship, although much of your success starts with the mutual agreement to commit to counseling. Evaluation tools like DAS and the Gottman Relationship Checkup may be used to provide your therapist with a baseline for your participation.
There are three important ways you can help your own process before you start counseling. Consider these before your first session with your therapist.
Your physical wellbeing creates a basis for positive emotional reappraisal. Practice these seven habits ahead of and throughout counseling:
When you’re feeling better about yourself, it’s easier to see your relationship in a positive light.
Consider introspection as internal self-care. Perspective is often valuable but difficult to attain, such is the power of our own points of view. It may be helpful to be mindful of the origins of your own perspective, and how it might be limiting your understanding. The idea of mindfulness, whether achieved through a training app, yoga, or some form of guided imagery, can be an important way to see your relationship from more than one angle.
Conflict management in a relationship might compare to a ceasefire in an armed conflict. It’s difficult to bring your best self to counseling when you’re still practicing unhealthy interactions. It may be as simple as committing to a calm tone of voice and avoiding sarcasm or other forms of negative response.
Your therapist can build on these preliminaries, giving you tools and techniques to augment your efforts. It’s not easy to wade through the accumulated bad habits of a relationship on your own. Talk to one of the expert therapists at Wellness Road Psychology. You can arrange your initial consultation over the phone or online. The pain of a troubled relationship will only grow unless it’s addressed. Book your appointment today.
