Couples and Marriage Therapy
Couples therapy in Durham, North Carolina

Couples & Marriage Therapy

Marriage and couples therapy, also known as couples counseling or couples therapy, is a type of psychological treatment that involves both members of a romantic relationship participating in therapy sessions together. The goal of marriage and couples therapy is to help couples understand and work through their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in order to improve the functioning of their relationship and the well-being of each individual partner.

During couples therapy sessions, the therapist works with both members of the couple to identify patterns of communication and interaction that may be contributing to the problems they are experiencing. The therapist will facilitate the couple to understand each other’s perspectives and emotions and help them to develop new ways of interacting and communicating.

There are several different types of couples therapy, each with a slightly different focus or approach. Some of the most common types include:

  • Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) which focuses on emotions and bonding within the relationship
  • Cognitive Behavioral Couples Therapy (CBCT) which focuses on identifying and changing negative patterns of thoughts and behaviors within the relationship.
  • Behavioral Couples Therapy (BCT) which uses behavioral and communication techniques to help the couple work through their problems
  • Integrative Behavioral Couples Therapy (IBCT) which combines elements from different therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral, emotion-focused, and behavioral therapy.
  • Gottman Method, which focuses on improving communication, managing conflicts and creating a strong, healthy relationship.
Marriage therapy in Durham, North Carolina
Green Paper Crane

Marriage and couples therapy can be effective in addressing a wide range of issues that couples might face, such as communication problems, trust issues, conflicts and intimacy concerns, and it can be beneficial for couples at different stages of the relationship, whether they are just starting or have been together for a long time.

We also offer Family Therapy, an effective treatment for a wide range of mental health and substance use disorders, and it is particularly useful when the problems being treated are strongly related to family dynamics, such as communication issues or parenting concerns.