If your relationship is critical, seeking couples therapy can save it. It can also strengthen your bond, improve functional communication, and improve conflict resolution skills. Understanding different marriage counseling techniques can be helpful if you decide to participate in couples therapy. Various therapy approaches can be used in couple’s counseling, including Emotionally Focused Therapy and Narrative Therapy.
Emotionally Focused Therapy
Emotionally focused therapy draws from the research in adult attachment and humanistic perspectives to help couples create secure emotional bonds. It considers people innately relational, social, and wired for intimate bonding.
It addresses negative interaction patterns that typify distressed relationship relationships. This process teaches partners to voice their wants, needs, and deep emotions and show acceptance and compassion for each other. It also helps them understand how their negative interactions create a self-reinforcing cycle of distress.
Unlike many other therapies, emotion-focused therapy considers emotions essential to changing patterns. For example, one of the techniques used in this approach is called evocative responding, where the therapist mirrors the client’s feelings.
Solution Focused Therapy
Couples are encouraged to explore ways to achieve their goals using solution-focused therapy. Unlike other therapies, this approach focuses on the future rather than the symptoms that brought couples to therapy in the first place. A qualified Seattle therapist will help clients identify the skills and resources needed to reach their goals.
Moreover, solution-focused therapy is based on social constructivist theory. This theory states that people make meaning about their world by interacting with others in daily life. Therefore, creating a sense of hope for the client is essential. This can be done by exploring their successes and highlighting the positive aspects of their relationship.
One way in which this is done is through “miracle questions.” These are not problem-solving questions; they ask the client to consider what would happen if their problems were solved. These are good ways to increase hope and motivate couples to change their lives.
Gottman Method
The Gottman Method is an approach to couples counseling that uses scientific research and practical tools. This method of treatment is effective for many different types of problems, including frequent arguing, infidelity, and emotional distance. Gottman method therapists help couples understand that perpetual problems are a normal part of every relationship and that these issues can be managed by learning healthy conflict-management skills.
The process begins with a comprehensive assessment of your relationship and a series of questionnaires. Then, your therapist will apply the principles of this couple therapy to create a therapeutic framework for your session. The duration of this marriage counseling Seattle varies, although researchers recommend ten sessions as the ideal length for this type of therapy.
This treatment focuses on improving three main areas of the relationship: friendship, conflict management, and creating shared meaning. It works well for most couples, regardless of their sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or cultural background. This treatment is most effective when both partners truly desire to improve their relationship and are willing to commit to the process.
Narrative Therapy
Narrative therapy is a form of counseling that helps people identify and change negative or destructive narratives. It also encourages couples to create new narratives that promote healing and positive change.
Its core assumption is that all people have multiple stories about themselves and their lives, and each story influences their lives. These stories include personal, such as self-esteem or abilities, and social, such as relationships and work.
During this approach, clients can explore their beliefs and values to understand their current narratives’ impact on their lives. Therapists may also help them externalize their problems by asking questions such as “Who or what do you believe is to blame for this problem?” This method allows couples to discover alternative and healthier stories, enabling them to create more resilient and meaningful ways of living.