No relationships are perfect, and all relationships take hard work and dedication. Even the most solid couples face challenges, whether that be in communication, navigating the stress of life, or life transitions to name a few. This is where couples therapy comes in. No matter the duration of your relationship, whether you have been together for months or years, therapy can provide a space to reconnect, strengthen the bond and develop new ways to cope with conflict or transition as a unit.
With the evolution of therapy comes various types of couples therapy. It is very easy to feel overwhelmed or unsure where to start, and what best fits your needs.
In this blog post, we share the four key types of couples therapy, examining each in detail so you can understand the options.
Key Types of Couples Therapy
There are many common and most effective approaches for couples counselling that we will explore below:
1. The Gottman Method
The role of the Gottman Method is to focus on strengthening communication, friendship, and conflict resolution/management skills. Developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman, the Gottman model is a direct reflection of the decades of work and research spent on understanding what makes relationships succeed and what pushes them to failure.
With this model in mind, in therap,y couples will learn tools and skills to increase appreciation and love for one another, reduce any criticism or hostility, and ultimately learn to lean on one another in hard times. Both in and out of session you will begin to utilize tools to make your relationship flourish.
If you relate to frequent conflict or poor communication, this method may be the right fit for you and your relationship.
2. Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT)
EFT is one of the most well-known and popular methods for couples counselling. It is based on the idea that at the core of a healthy and strong relationship is emotional connection. When emotional connection begins to decrease and couples feel disconnected, conflict and communication struggles begin to follow.
Within an EFT approach, couples work together to identify their negative patterns, such as blame, shame, criticism, withdrawal/avoidance, or defensiveness to name a few. Identifying the negative patterns comes the ability to learn how to express your needs and fears more freely and confidently. The main goal in using EFT is to create a relationship of strong emotional safety, trust and a dynamic where both partners can feel seen, heard and supported.
If you have ever felt “stuck” in the same cycle of conflict or emotionally distant from your partner, EFT may be especially helpful for you and your relationship.
3. Inner Child Work
Inner child work is a very powerful type of therapy that focuses on how our early childhood experiences and upbringing influence our adult life and relationships. Through the eyes of this approach, the couple will work together to uncover how unresolved wounds or hurts from the past may be playing a role in their present.
Through gentle communication and reflection, couples can begin to learn, understand, and acknowledge each other’s soft spots and triggers, learning to communicate with more compassion and love for one another. Inner child work allows for conflict to become an opportunity for growth and deeper connection rather than disconnect.
4. Integrative Approach
Some therapists may take an integrative approach to therapy, meaning they may combine a variety of modalities, tailoring the approach to each couple’s unique needs. For instance, a therapist may combine EFT as described above with a more structural approach, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT,) working to address negative or unhelpful thought patterns.
Here at Rebound Total Healt,h our team of clinicians takes a personalized approach to care, combining both evidence-based modalities and a couple’s unique needs and wants from therapy together. Whether you choose to have in-person or virtual sessions, therapy is a space to feel safe, supported, comfortable and most importantly, free from judgment.
When to Consider Couples Therapy
Many couples start therapy as a way to get ahead of any issues that may occur. It is a common misconception that you need to be in crisis to seek help. Some common reasons couples may begin therapy include:
- Feeling distant or disconnected
- Life transitions/stress (ie, new baby, job change, moving, death, etc.)
- Frequent arguments or misunderstandings
- Lack of communication
- Trust issues
- Difficulty finding a balance between individual goals and shared goals.
Therapy is a wonderful space to help couples reconnect and begin to see, hear, and appreciate one another again. In couples therapy, partners will learn to improve communication and develop healthier ways to combat life’s stress and change together as a unit.
Build a Stronger Relationship Through Couples Therapy
Every couple faces challenges, but it is not something you need to do alone. Here at Rebound, we are here for YOU. If you are curious about what kind of couples counselling works best for you, our team of compassionate clinicians can help guide you towards happiness and connection—one session at a time.
Learn about what you can expect from the first booked therapy session.
Ready to take that step….
Book your initial consult today, and let’s build a healthier, happier relationship together.
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