If there’s one misconception about couples counseling and marriage counseling, it’s that it’s a sign that the relationship has failed. This couldn’t be any further from the truth. Couples counseling and marriage counseling is actually a rewarding experience where a relationship can flourish and partners can grow closer together.

While traditional forms of couples counseling continue to be practiced, studies show that many of these outdated couples’ therapy techniques have proven to be ineffective. Our couples and marriage therapy treatment involves research-based and result-oriented approaches. At Gateway Counseling Center, your couples therapist will be utilizing the most current methods advocated by the field’s leading couples’ therapists, while still retaining their distinctive individuality.

Working Toward a Healthy Relationship & Attachment Style

Healthy relationships  is based on a secure attachment and a healthy balance between dependence and independence. We form our attachment styles in the first year of life and this style is reinforced throughout our childhood and adolescence.

When there’s a disruption in our attachment throughout childhood, it forces us to adapt in various ways to cope with inevitable anxiety and stress. These adaptations become behavioral and cognitive patterns that are wired into our nervous system and body.

For the most part, we’re unaware that they exist. However, it’s these patterns that lead to conflict in our relationship. Partners become conflicted, old patterns or adaptations from previous attachments manifest, and any efforts to resolve the conflict are sabotaged.

The harder you try to mend the relationship, the worse the conflict becomes, leading to feelings of frustration, anger, and depression. In couples counseling, we identify these attachment styles and developmental wounds and traumas being triggered.

Then the reparative behavior or unmet need from the attachment wound is identified, and these same interactions now become the healing moments, rather than the re-traumatizing ones.

At Gateway Counseling Center, we look at each couple’s own unique characteristics. Couples counseling will involve sessions that help to identify your specific relationship challenges, as well as relationship strengths, to form a comprehensive and customized treatment plan.

Your couples treatment plan will help you work on issues together in a neutral environment that’s built for achieving more effective communication, conflict resolution skills, and an increased capacity for emotional expression and intimacy.

Your couples therapist will work collaboratively with you to integrate your personal experience of the relationship into the development of tools, techniques, and interventions you can use outside of your sessions. Nothing will be attempted without the participation and agreement of each party. We truly create a new, innovative therapy for your relationship.

Couples Counseling – We Can Help

Regardless of the presenting problem, during couples counseling and marriage counseling sessions, we place the utmost importance on the relationship between the client and the therapist. Without a high level of trust and connection with the therapist, therapy will be ineffective. Our therapists are actively engaged in their approach and strive to get to the heart of the matter with honest, open communication in every counseling session. They will create a dynamic relationship with you and work towards translating the skills developed in your sessions to your relationship outside of the office. Our goal is to become less involved as you become more proficient at utilizing the latent ability you and your partner already possess until counseling is no longer needed.

Frequently Asked Questions About Couples Counseling

We understand that choosing to seek out a couples counselor can be a tough decision. Understanding more about this form of therapy can help. Below are some frequently asked questions about what couples counseling is, what you can expect, and how it can help your relationship. To learn more about couples counseling, Christian Couples Counseling, Christian Couples Therapy or contact us today or schedule an appointment and we will get back to you shortly. 

What happens at couples therapy?

While every couples therapy session will be unique, there are a few commonalities you can expect. First, your counselor will provide an open, honest, and safe environment for you to discuss thoughts, feelings, and the issues facing your relationship. In addition, your couples or marriage counselor will help you develop tools, techniques, and interventions that you can utilize outside of your therapist’s office to help your relationship grow and heal. Your therapist may use one or more result-oriented methods that have proven to be successful.

Throughout your couples counseling journey, your therapist will be there to answer all your questions and guide you through the healing process. If you’d like to hear more about what happens during a typical couples therapy session, don’t hesitate to reach out to us to schedule an appointment with a couples counselor. 

When should you see a couples counselor?

All couples have a different threshold for when they deem counseling to be necessary. Making the decision to see a couples counselor is a personal and sometimes complicated decision. However, there are certain signs that couples or spouses can look for that may help them determine if it’s time to see a therapist to mend their relationship. Some of these signs include: 

• You’re not communicating, and when you do communicate, it’s mostly negative. 
• You’re avoiding emotional intimacy. 
• You’re avoiding physical intimacy. 
• You’re experiencing a major life change, such as a death in the family, a new job, or a new financial hardship, and adjusting to the change has created tension and conflict. 
• There’s a lack of trust. 

These are just a few red flags that could mean it’s time to seek out marriage or couples counseling. To talk to a marriage or couples counselor to help you determine if the time is right for your relationship to begin healing, contact Gateway Counseling Center in Boynton Beach to learn more. 

How can we prepare for couples counseling?

To prepare for your first marriage or couples counseling session, there are a few things you can do to help begin your healing journey in a positive light and on a solid foundation. First, it’s important that both partners are open and committed to the experience. Keep in mind that this will take time and your conflicts will not be resolved overnight. Having a collective commitment to therapy can make a big difference in the work you do with your counselor.

While your therapist will guide you and help you identify areas of improvement in your relationship, it can also be helpful to discuss your own goals of couples counseling together before your first session. This can help you and your therapist map out a plan for your upcoming sessions and set expectations. Beyond that, you and your partner should have a willingness to learn, share, and listen. 

What are the benefits of couples therapy?

Because everyone has different goals with marriage and couples counseling, the benefits will vary depending on what you’re working towards. Overall, there are some benefits to marriage counseling and couples counseling that most partners experience, regardless of their specific objectives. Some of these benefits include:

• You experience more positive and open communication. 
• You feel closer to one another. 
• You seek out intimacy. 
• You live in a more peaceful household.
• You work together when it comes to problem-solving or conflict resolution. 
• You create more time for one another. 
• You’ve learned to trust one another. 

To learn more about the many benefits of marriage and couples counseling, contact Gateway Counseling Center today. 

Do you have to attend couples counseling together?

It is standard practice to attend marriage counseling or couples counseling together. Most experts will explain that it’s a necessary step to assuring that communication and connection are established throughout your sessions. However, as part of your treatment plan, your therapist may recommend individual therapy for you or your partner, in addition to attending therapy together. 

Does couples counseling really work?

The research-based approaches that our marriage and couples counselors use at Gateway Counseling Center have all proven to be effective in helping couples overcome challenges and grow closer together. It’s also important to note that marriage and couples counseling is a two-way street. A therapist will provide you with all of the support and tools you need to move forward and mend your relationship, but the couple needs to be committed to doing the work and open to the therapeutic methods. When there’s an open and trusting relationship between the couple and the therapist, couples counseling is more likely to be successful. 

How much does couples therapy cost?

The cost of couples therapy will vary depending on a few different factors, such as the frequency of the sessions and how long therapy will last. To discuss the general cost of marriage and couples counseling, contact Gateway Counseling Center in Boynton Beach today. 

How do I find a couples therapist? 

When searching for a marriage or couples counselor in South Florida, remember that Gateway Counseling Center is conveniently located in Boynton Beach and can be easily reached from surrounding areas throughout Broward and Palm Beach County. Gateway Counseling Center has experienced marriage and couples counselors that can help you and your partner get through this difficult time.

If you have questions about premarital counseling, relationship counseling, individual counseling or if you would like to set up an appointment for Couples Counseling or Marriage Counseling fill out our contact form or contact us at 561-468-6464.