Couples/Marriage Therapy

What is it

Couples and marriage therapy is a form of psychotherapy that aims to help couples enhance their relationship dynamics. A mental health clinician leads these sessions offering a secure, neutral space where partners can discuss their concerns, resolve conflicts, and develop healthier ways of interacting.

ACC’s mental health interns/QMHPs use evidence-based techniques such as Gottman Method, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to guide couples in identifying and addressing underlying challenges. The goal is to foster better communication, rebuild trust, and strengthen emotional connection, which leads to a healthier more fulfilling relationship.

what are the benefits

Couples and marriage therapy offers many perks for relationships. It helps pairs facing specific problems or those who want to boost their connection. Here's what you can gain:

  • Better Communication: Couples therapy aims to help partners share their thoughts and feelings more. This cuts down on mix-ups, misunderstandings, and improves overall communication.

  • Conflict Resolution Skills: Therapy teaches couples how to handle arguments in a constructive, respectful way, leading to healthier and more productive conversations.

  • Rebuilding Trust: When trust is broken, therapy gives steps to build it back up, aiming to help couples feel more secure with each other.

  • Restoring Intimacy: When partners feel far apart it can cause problems. Therapy helps couples reconnect reigniting the spark in their relationship.

  • Strengthening Emotional Bonds: Therapy gives couples tools to deepen their emotional closeness and understanding. This helps them feel more connected to each other.

  • Preventing Future Issues: By addressing current challenges and learning healthier interaction patterns, couples can stop small problems from turning into big ones.

  • Navigating Life Changes Together: Couples therapy helps partners deal with big life changes as a team. This builds their ability to bounce back and adjust when things change.

  • Clarity in Decision-Making: Therapy gives couples who are thinking about splitting up or divorcing a place to think about their options . This helps them make better choices about what's next for their relationship.

who is a good candidate

You may be a good candidate for therapy if:

  • Communication Is Breaking Down: If misunderstandings, arguments, or feelings of not being heard, therapy can help improve communication skills.

  • You Fight or Argue Often: It's normal to disagree sometimes, but if your fights get nasty or happen too much.

  • Trust Has Been Broken: Cheating, lying, or other trust issues can hurt a relationship.

  • Emotional Distance: If you and your partner don't feel connected or are drifting away from each other.

  • Navigating Life Transitions: Big life changes, like having kids, moving, or switching jobs, can shake up a relationship.

  • You're Considering Separation or Divorce: For couples at a turning point, therapy gives a safe place to talk about whether splitting up is the right move or if they can fix their relationship.

  • Enhancing Relationship Skills: Even if your relationship is solid, therapy can help couples get better at talking being close, and solving problems to keep growing and feeling happy together.

What to Expect in Couples/Marriage Therapy

Our process starts with a first meeting where your therapist will learn about your relationship background, current issues, and what you want to achieve. You'll work together to create a plan for the areas you want to improve.

Sessions typically last 50-57 minutes and can be scheduled weekly or biweekly, depending on your needs. Throughout therapy, your mental health professional will guide conversations, offer exercises to improve communication, and provide tools to help you work through conflicts both in and outside of sessions.