If you encounter problems in your relationship that you both can no longer resolve, relationship therapy is an option to try to find a solution. There must be the will on the part of both partners to do this. There must be a request for help. If so, relationship therapy offers possibilities.
When should you go to a relationship therapist?
If the relationship you have has not been going well for a long time, you can choose to go to therapy. Signs of serious relationship problems are frequent violent arguments and growing apart. If you feel that you can no longer find a solution on your own, a relationship therapist can help you with this.
How long does relationship therapy last?
The degree of problems and their treatment determine the duration of the therapy. On average, weekly therapy lasts between 10 and 20 weeks. It is also possible to attend biweekly sessions. After this period, certain changes should be visible.
The relationship therapist
A relationship therapist is a person who identifies the problems in a relationship, together with the partners. A relationship therapist often has a psychological background, which makes it possible to identify the real problems in a relationship. The therapy consists of a series of conversations in which the problems are discussed. Both partners are present at these conversations. The purpose of the sessions is to break the negative spiral of the relationship. Both partners have to put a lot of energy into trying to repair the relationship.
Relationship therapy can be compared to systemic therapy
Systemic therapy addresses the social system to which the problems are related. Both partners are in this social system. Sometimes other people, for example children, from this system are also involved in the relationship problems in one way or another. This will automatically emerge during the sessions if this is the case. A systems therapist can therefore also treat relationship problems.
How does relationship therapy work?
When you start couples therapy, you both have the same goal: to get closer to each other to repair the damaged relationship. Basically, the therapy is the same for every therapist. But because every therapist acts from his or her own (psychotherapeutic) vision, the content of a treatment can differ per therapist.
Different types of relationship therapy
Due to the substantive diversity in treatments provided by therapists, there are different types of relationship therapy. The goal is the same for every form, but the accents are placed differently. These are some forms of relationship therapy:
Psychoanalytic relationship therapy
In this form of therapy, the emphasis is on unresolved emotional conflicts from childhood. The therapist looks for repressed emotions from the past. The goal is to retrieve and process these emotions. The relationship can be made healthier because a certain negative emotion no longer stands in the way.
Behavioral therapy
Behavioral therapy addresses the behavior of both partners. The influence that partners exert on each other through certain behaviors is examined. Partners learn to recognize each other’s emotions better through behavioral therapy. They also learn to deal better with the other person’s emotions.
Therapy focused on solutions
The focus in this form of therapy is on the desired mutual relationships in the relationship. So we look for a relationship that is going well. Through sessions we work on changes in the current relationship in order to achieve the desired relationship.
Online relationship therapy
Relationship therapy can also be done via the internet. This is workable for some people with relationship problems. Depending on the therapist’s background, the problems can be addressed in different ways.
Experience with relationship therapy?
Do you have positive or negative experiences with relationship therapy? You can leave a comment at the bottom of this article to inform others.
