3 Things You Learn in Couples Therapy
By: Brett Beaver
Tags: Couples, Therapy, Marriage, Counseling, Family

Couples therapy is one of the best resources for couples who want to improve and strengthen their relationship. Contrary to what you may think, couples therapy is not reserved for couples going through a difficult time in their relationship. While therapy can provide benefits in this situation, it’s also useful for couples who want to take a proactive approach to the health and wellness of their connection. All couples who participate in couples therapy can expect to learn some important techniques to help their relationship flourish. Read on to learn more about these.

1) Active Listening

Often, when people are talking to one another, they wait their turn to talk and don’t really listen to what the other person is saying. In couples therapy, you learn to actively listen to what your partner is saying. This allows you to really understand their feelings and can help you to foster a stronger and healthier connection. When you are really listening to your partner, your partner will feel heard. This can help enhance trust as well as a sense of unity. Because active listening does not always come naturally to people, couples therapy will teach you techniques to more easily achieve it. Once you have learned how to actively listen, your relationships will improve and be more fulfilling for both you and your partner.

2) Non-Confrontational Communication

Non-confrontational communication is a technique of communication that allows you to express your needs without making the other person feel like they’re being accused of something. While there are entire books and courses centered around the technique of non-confrontational communication, you will likely learn some of the related techniques during couples therapy. One tenet of this method of communication is ‘I statements.’ This consists of speaking your needs in a way that’s framed around what you need, not around what your partner is or is not doing. By communicating in this way, you are able to convey your needs without making the other person feel triggered or deficient. This is an important skill to learn when communicating with partners or anyone that you interact with. It can help you to make healthier connections and ensure that your needs are met.

3) Self-care

Along with learning how to speak and listen to your partner in a way that allows everyone to be heard and understood, another still you may learn in couples therapy is that of self care. This is a very important skill that can help you flourish in any relationship. Often, relationships suffer because one or both members of the relationship are not taking proper care of themselves. In this case, they may rely on the other person to care for them, either consciously or subconsciously. When this happens, resentment can build. It can also cause members of the relationship to lose touch with themselves. Having a strong relationship with yourself is a prerequisite for having a strong relationship with your partner. Strengthening your relationship to yourself will also strengthen your relationship with others.

Schedule Couples Therapy

To learn more about how couples therapy can benefit you, contact us. With Brett Beaver, you can be sure to gain the skills you need to have healthy and happy relationships throughout your life. Contact us today by calling (925) 324–4514 or online by using this contact form. We look forward to hearing from you.