What is Couples Counselling? (The Pros and Cons)
Your relationship has been going through a rough patch - and it doesn’t seem to be getting any smoother as time goes on.
Issues like different communication styles, financial pressure, and extended family drama can take a toll on any relationship. Turning to couples counselling can be a great solution for many couples - but is it the right choice for your relationship?
Here at KMA Therapy, we’re relationship experts. For over 15 years, we’ve helped our clients and community learn how to help their relationships thrive.
After reading this article, you’ll know what happens during couples counselling, what issues couples counselling can help with, and its pros and cons so you can decide whether it’s right for you and your partner.
What is Couples Counselling?
Couples counselling is a type of therapy where a licensed therapist works with you and your romantic partner to help you gain insight about your relationship, resolve conflicts, and establish common goals.
Types of therapy used in couples counselling include:
Your therapist will work with you and your partner to explore what type of therapy will be best for you.
What Kind of Issues Does Couples Counselling Help With?
People come to couples counselling for a wide range of issues, but it can be helpful to learn about common issues that bring couples to counselling.
5 of the most common issues seen in couples counselling include:
- Individual issues that affect the relationship
- Not enough time spent together
- Division of household chores
- Communication issues
- Financial issues
In general, if you’re not satisfied with any aspect of your relationship and you and your partner haven’t been able to resolve it independently, it can be helpful to speak to a couples counsellor.
What Happens During Couples Counselling?
During couples counselling, your therapist will meet with you and your partner to learn about your communication style, the values you each hold in the relationship, and any personal issues that may be impacting the relationship.
They’ll help to develop a personalized strategy, involving various therapeutic techniques, to help you and your partner establish and reach mutual goals in your relationship.
Couples counselling can focus on help you:
- Develop tools to face the stressors you face as a couple (i.e. moving, family issues, financial stress)
- Create a new perspective of each other as individuals and as a couple
- Understand each other’s needs, emotions, and desires
- Forgive each other and find healing
- Improve your communication
- Improve intimacy
- Grow trust
The Pros of Couples Counselling
Couples counselling can be a great way to improve you and your partner’s satisfaction in your relationship.
Getting an external point of view from someone who doesn’t take sides can be helpful to objectively navigate the problems you’re facing.
Couples counselling can help you gain many skills that can help your relationship, including communication and problem-solving skills.
Couples counselling could be a great choice for you if:
- You and your partner are willing to communicate openly
- You still want the same things (and can find common goals)
- You’re willing to discuss how individual issues impact the relationship
The Cons of Couples Counselling
While couples counselling can have many benefits, it’s not the right choice for everyone.
Couples counselling can be a big financial commitment, and if one or both partners aren’t willing to open up and commit to the process, it can be difficult to see real progress.
It can take a lot of vulnerability to open up to a couples therapist, and if one or both of you aren’t comfortable sharing the details of your relationship with a stranger, it can be hard to have an effective therapy journey.
Couples counselling may not be the right choice if:
- You or your partner don’t have the time to commit to the therapy process
- One or both partners aren’t willing to be open and honest in the therapy process
- You and your partner are no longer fundamentally compatible (i.e. you ultimately want different things for your lives that don’t fit together)
Alternatives to Couples Counselling
After learning about its pros and cons, you may be interested in some alternatives to couples counselling.
Alternatives to couples counselling include:
- Seeing a sex therapist if your issues are related to sexual intimacy
- Attending a relationship workshop or seminar and applying what you learn to your relationship
- Seeing a therapist individually (especially if there are personal mental health challenges impacting the relationship)
If you’re still unsure about whether to try couples counselling, watch this two-minute video for an overview of 10 signs you should see a couples counsellor:
Next Steps for Beginning Couples Counselling in Toronto
After reading this article, you know the pros and cons of couples counselling and how to know if it could be the right choice for you.
Here at KMA Therapy, our team of relationship therapists is here to help you and your partner find the support and satisfaction you deserve.
Register online to connect with our team or download our Therapy 101 Guide to learn more about how the therapy process could work for you.
If you’d prefer to keep reading, explore these articles to learn more:
