A COUPLES THERAPY PREPARATION GUIDE

So, you and your partner have been having conflicts and issues for quite some time and nothing that you or your partner has done to better your current situation has worked out. The both of you have finally agreed upon seeking help from a therapist but neither of you are prepared for or know what to expect from therapy. Well, people who have not been to a therapist do not usually know what to expect from therapy sessions. Even if you have been in child therapy when you were younger or have visited a therapist before, you have probably been on your own with the therapist throughout your sessions and you probably don’t know how it’s going to be like with another person in the room with you. Well, here is a quick guide that will help you and your partner prepare for a visit to a relationship advisor or couples’ therapist -

Establish what you expect from the therapy sessions - whether your goal is to mend things, cope with an issue, or help the both of you transition through divorce. Make sure that you convey your goals to the therapist.

Be open to change and learning - There will be a lot of trade-offs and you and your partner will have to make adjustments in your lives. Your therapist will teach the both of you how to communicate effectively and have better interactions with each other. So be prepared to incorporate all that you learn.

Be prepared to invest time - You are not going to see results within one or two sessions, therapy is a process and it will take some time for you to see results. Be patient and at the same time be regular for your sessions.

Narrow down on a therapist you and your partner both feel comfortable with and one who is not biased. The most important thing to remember is that going to couples’ therapy is a journey where you and your partner make efforts to achieve solutions.