The short answer is YES! Indeed, counseling does work. For a more complete explanation, please read on…
Marriage and Family Therapists are trained to work within the realm of relationships of all kinds. In my Master’s program I received specialized training in areas that include couple’s therapy, family therapy, child therapy, and group therapy. Since graduate school I have participated in many kinds of continuing education, much of which has been directed at expanding my skills in the areas of couple’s therapy. I have trained with the Gottman Relationship Institute, and for the past 5 years have been deeply involved in training at The Couple’s Institute in Menlo Park. Most of the time my practice contains 50-60% couples.
Sometimes, clients are interested in how I work with couples where one partner is ill, experiencing depression, and/or has a substance abuse or addiction problem. These kinds of issues are troubling in an intimate relationship. I often refer one, or sometimes both, partners for individual treatment while we continue couple’s work. That may mean medication and individual therapy, medical evaluation by a specialist, or even rehab of some kind. If a partner is already in treatment I may ask them to authorize me to contact their treating provider so that our work can be coordinated. Therapy can be useful in helping each partner gain a deeper understanding of one another’s experience as well as setting realistic goals for change.
What about when partners have different goals?
One wants to stay in the relationship and the other wants to break up. I work with my clients to establish individual goals for each person and the overall relationship. When they are different or conflicting I may ask to meet with each partner individually. Therapy can be a safe place to explore wants and needs that have been too painful to be discussed constructively.
What about outcomes?
Early in our work I ask each member of the couple how they will know when we are done. We return to those goals periodically during the therapy in order to assess whether the goals are being met, or possibly have even changed. Goals often have changed! When the decision is made to finish we review what has transpired. I consider therapy successful when each partner can see that their functioning within the relationship has altered in ways that feel positive to them – whether or not they stay together. I have not had many couple’s break up during our therapy unless that was the goal in the beginning.
Be Proactive.
I believe that many couples wait longer than they should before entering therapy. Much has been written about the average couple delaying help for 7 years or more before trying counseling. While there are many reasons for this, the end result is that good feelings are often eroded to the point that there isn’t much left to work with. When people enter therapy early on, my experience is that outcomes tend to be much better, therapy goes more quickly and the end results are typically more positive.
Lastly, what is the best predictor of a successful therapy? In my practice it has been that couples attend regularly, do the homework assigned, and accept that individual change (not just your partner’s change) will be required. My therapy is very instructional and I can teach you many tools. But you have to use them! The easiest way to start helping yourself and your relationship is by contacting me. Call me at my number located in the right-hand column; or, I can also be reached via email through the form just below my phone number on the right.