Relational Therapy
(Including Couples Counseling)
Relational therapy is when the clinician sees a relationship as the client, and those who are in that relationship are the ones who take part in the sessions. The most common form of this is couples therapy (which might be seen as marriage therapy, pre-marital counseling, co-parenting counseling, or other forms of couples counseling, whether the couple is married or not), although it also includes family therapy and therapy involving other groups of related or affiliated people.
This type of therapy aims to improve the relationship between people. These people are often in a romantic or familial relationship, but this is not always the case. It involves sessions with a trained clinician who facilitates constructive dialogue and offers guidance to couples and families to address and resolve issues within their relationship.
In couples counseling, partners work together to identify and understand the underlying dynamics contributing to relationship challenges. These challenges may include communication problems, conflicts, trust issues, intimacy issues, or other sources of tension within the relationship. In family therapy, each member of the “family” does similar work and the challenges faced may be similar but also involve intergenerational struggles, tensions between things inside and outside the family, and broader family systems.
The clinician provides a neutral and supportive environment where each person can express their thoughts, feelings, and concerns openly. Through structured discussions and therapeutic techniques, they learn effective communication skills, conflict resolution strategies, and ways to rebuild trust, cohesion, and intimacy.
While most of the time spent in relational therapy will have everyone involved in sessions together, there are times when the clinician will meet with members on their own. Individual (or subgroup) sessions may also be incorporated to address personal issues that may be affecting the relationship or to address things that impact but do not directly involve everyone. While not common, it is also possible to work on relational issues without everyone taking part – in this case progress is usually slower as those not taking part get involved in the process through what those taking part do in between sessions.
The goals of couples counseling or family therapy vary depending on the specific needs and circumstances of each couple. Some common objectives include improving communication, enhancing emotional connection, rebuilding trust after infidelity, addressing differences in parenting, navigating major life transitions, and strengthening overall relationship satisfaction. Some people will also engage in this form of therapy when the goal is not to be unified but rather to amicably separate or to deal with what still connects them after they are no longer a couple or family (such as children, property, or ongoing circles they are part of).
Overall, couples counseling offers a collaborative and solution-focused approach to help couples overcome challenges, deepen their connection, and cultivate a healthier and more fulfilling relationship.