Therapists can help couples develop communication skills, improve conflict resolution, and increase emotional intimacy. They can also help identify and address problems causing relationship distress, such as external stressors or health issues.
Behavioral therapy focuses on shaping behavior by reinforcing positive behaviors that promote stability and satisfaction and discouraging behaviors that foster negativity. Integrative CBT couples therapies incorporate cognitive and somatic techniques to target specific problems.
Solution Focused Therapy
Couples therapy in NYC often finds success with solution-focused treatment, a brief intervention designed for short-term effectiveness. This approach focuses on instilling hope and improving communication between partners, encouraging collaborative problem-solving. While well-suited for addressing common challenges, it may not be the ideal choice for couples seeking to tackle more intricate issues, such as substance abuse or domestic violence, due to its less comprehensive nature.
The therapist starts by identifying the couple’s current strengths and capabilities. They then help the clients identify specific goals and strategies for working towards them. They also encourage the clients to rate their feelings or situations on a scale. This exercise helps them shift their attention from problem talk to “desired outcome” talk.
One of the critical techniques used in this type of therapy is called the “miracle question.” The therapist asks the client to picture a scenario in which some event or other factor significantly improved their circumstances. They then work with the client to discuss how they could make this miracle happen in their own lives.
Another important technique in this counseling style is the “exceptions question.” The therapist will ask the couple to identify things that have worked well for them, even if they are unrelated to the current problem. This can help the couple see their successful history, which can be a great source of hope.
The Gottman Method
The Gottman Method is an evidence-based therapy with a therapeutic framework couples can use to create and manage healthy relationship changes. It focuses on three primary areas: friendship, conflict management, and creating shared meaning. It helps couples improve friendships, cultivate meaningful connections, and deepen emotional attachments. It also offers tools to address and heal past hurts. This therapy is based on the research of psychologists and husband-and-wife team John and Julie Gottman.
The assessment process includes joint and individual interviews with each partner to discuss their relationship philosophy, history, and goals. Couples also complete questionnaires and receive feedback on their relationship. The therapist and couple then determine the frequency and duration of sessions.
Couples learn communication skills during therapy sessions, practice managing conflicts, and work through problems together. Ultimately, they will develop a stronger, more satisfying relationship. Couples are encouraged to practice positive affect, which involves expressing affection and admiration for one another, and to nurture gratitude by comparing their partners favorably with real or imagined others. They are also encouraged to develop commitment by believing that their relationship is a lifelong journey, for better or worse.
The benefits of this method are that it is highly structured and follows a straightforward process. This structure can help couples stay motivated throughout treatment. In addition, the Gottman Method teaches specific communication and problem-solving techniques that couples can use outside of sessions to strengthen their marriage.
Schema Therapy
Schema therapy can help couples identify underlying schemas, such as feelings of emotional deprivation, mistrust, and entitlement. It can also help them to find healthy ways to deal with these negative patterns and foster a more emotionally connected relationship. Using dynamic techniques like role-playing and interpersonal methods, your therapist will challenge harmful thought patterns triggered by these schemas. They may also use cognitive techniques such as reviewing life experiences to see how certain situations play out.
Three unhelpful coping styles come into play when a schema is activated: avoidance, surrender, and overcompensation. When someone uses avoidance to try to prevent activation of a schema, they may engage in behaviors such as substance abuse, risky sex, overeating, and compulsive activities like cleaning or gambling.
When people use the surrender response, they revert to an old pre-existing schema that has proven not to be adaptive and close themselves off from new opportunities or challenges. Overcompensation is the counterattack where a person goes to extreme lengths to prove their schema is inaccurate.
Schema therapy can help people overcome unhealthy schemas that are rooted in childhood experiences. Those who have personality disorders, such as borderline personality disorder, may find it helpful as they navigate daily life by turning to unhealthy coping strategies. For these people, identifying and changing their schemas can be a path toward greater happiness and freedom from unwanted parental patterns.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
ACT is an experimentally grounded psychological intervention that increases psychological flexibility by utilizing commitment, behavior modification, acceptance, and mindfulness techniques. Essentially, ACT teaches individuals to accept painful thoughts and feelings and commit to action aligning with their values.
ACT for Couples invites partners to participate in activities that uphold their beliefs and to notice their thoughts and feelings in a relationship without passing judgment. It can also help them identify their relationship schemas and use them to replace avoidant coping behaviors with values-driven actions that contribute to long-term well-being and satisfaction.
While brushing off unpleasant feelings like sadness or anger may be tempting, ignoring them can lead to resentment and stunt healing. Instead, a trained therapist can teach you to acknowledge and accept those emotions and move forward meaningfully.
Unlike other forms of couples therapy, ACT focuses on individual and relational health. This approach is excellent for couples who want to improve communication skills and deepen emotional intimacy. By fostering psychological flexibility and values-driven behaviors, couples can build strong bonds that last. Get more about ACT for Couples by contacting a nearby mental health professional. They will be able to explain the benefits of this treatment and provide guidance in setting up a session.
