If you've ever been to individual counseling, you know how to get the most out of counseling. (If you don't know how to do that, read this first.)
Couples counseling differs from individual counseling because we work towards goals by problem solving and doing weekly homework. The magic doesn't happen exclusively in the office.
My approach to couples counseling is to not take sides: I am there as the therapist for the RELATIONSHIP. I'm not going to choose the winner of arguments, nor will I help one person argue with the other. Each of you must be willing to make changes. So, what is and isn't couples counseling?
IS:
-an avenue for growth
-neutral
-learning to forgive
-educational
-structured
-making mistakes and owning them
-A COMMITMENT
ISN'T:
-proving who is right and who is wrong
-blaming
-forcing the other person to change
-doing things at the expense of your partner to make yourself happy/look better/try to win
Your relationship can be saved. Trust the process.
Until next time,
Laura