Couples Therapy – Strengthening Relationships and Reconnection

Couples Therapy Online and In-Person Langley, BC

Summary: Couples therapy can help address conflicts and enhance your relationship with effective strategies and support. At Grounded Path Therapy, we guide you through the process of improving communication and building a stronger bond with your partner.

The Importance of Couples Therapy in Relationship Health

Many couples face issues when in a relationship. However, when we’re in it it can feel like we’re the only ones struggling. Escalating fights, feeling a loss of connection, communication struggles, trust issues and not clicking anymore are some common issues couples face.  There can be a misconception that couples therapy is only needed if a relationship is at it’s breaking point. This is not true! It is a myth that we hear often here at Grounded Path Therapy. And, sadly, it can lead to many months or years of suffering.

According to the the Gottman Institute, most couples reach for couples therapy seven years after they need to. Seven years!  That’s seven years too many of struggling. Of feeling disconnection. Of growing apart. It’s too many years of suffering. nAnd, it can be prevented. We all want more love and connection in our relationship.

There are so many benefits to addressing issues early on. Or ideally, preventing them all together by accessing couples therapy. And, lets be real. Very few of us are preventative in our relationships. If you’re reading this in the super early stages of a relationship, you are rocking at the game of love. Truly, we mean it. For those who are not, know that it’s not too late. A couples therapist may be just what you need.

How can couples therapy help?

Couples therapy can provide a neutral space for conversations. Some of the benefits of accessing couples therapy early include:

• More satisfaction from your relationship
• A deeper sense of love and connection with your partner
• Feeling understood by your partner
• Less stress in your every day life
• Better communication
• A united path forward in your relationship
• Moving on with your hopes and dreams together

Seeing a couples therapist early can also prevent the Four Horsemen (no, not the Biblical ones). The Four Horsemen of the relationship apocalypse can create deep rifts in a relationship. According to the research of John Gottman, these four things at high levels set the stage for divorce: criticism, stonewalling, defensiveness and contempt. At Grounded Path Therapy, our couples therapists help buffer your relationship from the four horsemen. We provide practical tools to help protect your relationship. Check out the video below to learn more about these four relationship invaders:

Techniques and Approaches Used in Couples Therapy

At Grounded Path Therapy, all of our couples therapists are trained in the The Gottman Method. No surprise here, you probably picked up on our fondness for the model. We love it, and many of our clients have as well. At Grounded Path Therapy, your therapist will be providing proven evidence-based tools to help you improve your relationship. Part of your therapy can include helping you improve your communication skills. Often, just learning more appreciative and gentle ways of communicating can help you feel more connected to one another. And who doesn’t want more connection in their relationship?

Maybe you’re tired of fights that go unresolved. Conflict is a primary reason many reach out to a couples therapist. Conflict resolution strategies can also be a part of your therapy. If it feels like unresolved fights, perpetual problems and defensive or criticism (those pesky horsemen) are problems in your marriage conflict resolution may be helpful.

Your couples therapist will provide a safe space to help you feel heard. In couples therapy, you’ll practice exercises to strengthen emotional connection. You’ll improve your listening skills and really hear the heart of what your partner is saying. This will help you attune more to your partner’s needs. And improve your bond with one another. And reduce fighting.

What to Expect in Your Couples Therapy Sessions

So what is it that we do in couples therapy? Well, the process actually starts individually. Prior to beginning therapy, your therapist will do a detailed initial assessment and support you to set goals for couples therapy. Each partner will have an individual session first with the therapist. This provides each person a safe space to share their dreams and concerns for the relationship. You get to be honest with your therapist without the pressure of your partner in the room. We then come together for couples therapy and set goals for therapy together.

A typical couples therapy session is 80 minutes in length.  The longer session provides each person time to share their thoughts and practice hearing their partner. Your couples therapist will intervene and help regulate emotions if arguing or fighting begins. Sometimes we regulate through deep breathing. Sometimes we regulate by doing a walk around the office. Or using one of the provided stress balls in session.

You’ll be provided with practice work in between sessions. This helps each partner embody the skills learned in session. Translating the skills to your life outside the therapy room is the goal. Your couples therapist will also provide honest feedback during sessions. The goal of feedback is always to support and help you break unhelpful communication patterns.

How Grounded Path Therapy in Langley, BC Can Help Your Relationship

Here at Grounded Path Therapy we have Gottman Method trained therapists. We’ll work with to help strengthen your relationship, and reduce conflict. As each couple is unique, our treatment plans are individualized to you. We work hard for your relationship goals. After all, who doesn’t want more joy and love from their relationship? Just know that it’s possible.

Looking to strengthen your relationship? Reach out to Grounded Path Therapy in Langley, BC, to schedule your couples therapy session. Our skilled therapists are dedicated to helping you and your partner build a more fulfilling and harmonious relationship. Call us at 604-307-3512 or fill out our online form to get started.