A sexually frustrated partner then might experience difficulty concentrating or communicating at work, begin abusing alcohol or driving recklessly. Keeping a relationship on track takes work, no matter how well the two partners started out. Significant events will challenge a couple s ability to continue to regard each other positively. What to expect from couples counseling The counselor will ask each partner to describe the problem that brings them in, and what they have tried to do to address it. The counselor will also evaluate how the couple communicates and how skillful they are in negotiating and resolving differences.
Couples counseling is generally action oriented.
The counselor will ask the couple to try specific exercises, alone or with each other, and then discuss these homework assignments in the following session. Ideally, during the course of counseling, a couple will not only resolve one or more specific problems, but gain new skills for dealing with future problems. While most couples counseling is short term counseling, some relationship issues require more time. In some cases the outcome of counseling is a mutual decision by the couple to end their relationship. The counselor can help them face the reality that their relationship is no longer viable, consider the impact on family and friends, and work out a plan to bring the relationship to an end with a minimum of pain and resentment.