Couples counseling is a type of counseling, or psychotherapy, that helps couples recognize and resolve conflicts to improve their relationships. It is typically guided by a therapist with an educational background in couple and family counseling with extensive experience working with couples and a variety of presenting issues. At Proliance Center in Boca Raton, FL, we are often asked a variety of questions about the process of couples counseling. One of the most common questions is about the amount of time a couple should expect to be in couples counseling before their problems are resolved.
It is important for couples to recognize the unique nature of the couples counseling experience. The couples counseling you can expect at Proliance Center, and at most well-respected therapeutic settings with educated and experienced practitioners, is specifically catered to your individual needs. Therefore, there is no set number of couples counseling sessions that will solve your particular need. The number of sessions are based entirely upon your needs, goals and commitment to the process.
What we can tell you is that typically, couples counseling is often a short-term form of counseling. Couples generally present to counseling with specific needs and goals in mind. Often, if they are unable to identify these needs and goals prior to beginning counseling, they may be discovered as early on in the process as the initial session. Once the needs have been addressed and a treatment plan is developed with your couples counselor, you will begin working toward the goals to which you’ve agreed. Once these goals are completed, the couple is generally able to reduce the frequency of sessions or complete treatment. Therefore it is important to recognize that the length of treatment is very much linked to the severity of the issues presented and the commitment of each partner to the experience.
If you feel couples counseling could benefit you and your partner, but have hesitations about the process, a Proliance Center couples counselor is available to answer your questions and help guide you to a solution that will work best for you.