Does Couples Therapy Work? What Research Says About Couples Counseling
Key takeaways
- Research shows that couples therapy can be effective at helping couples manage various relationship challenges.
- During treatment, focusing on changing yourself rather than your partner can lead to better outcomes.
- Studies have found that online therapy can be as effective as in-person treatment.
Studies have shown that couples therapy can be effective at helping couples manage a variety of challenges, from sexual difficulties to managing the effects of physical or mental illnesses on a relationship. Therapists can act as neutral mediators, helping partners improve communication. Some couples may only need to attend therapy for a few sessions, while those with complex challenges may need longer courses of treatment. Couples therapy is available in-person and online; research shows that online sessions can be as effective as traditional in-person treatment.
What does the research say about the effectiveness of couples therapy?
Both reviews and meta-analyses of couples therapy have found that it can be effective in helping couples manage relationships. Studies have discovered the following about couples and marriage counseling:
- Cognitive behavioral marital therapy, integrative behavioral couple therapy, and emotionally focused therapy can all be effective approaches to couples counseling.
- The average person who receives couples therapy is better off after completing sessions than between 70% to 80% of people not receiving treatment.
- Couples therapy can help with various challenges, including sexual difficulties, infidelity, and intimate partner violence.
- In addition to helping with dysfunctional relationship patterns, couples therapy can also help with coexisting behavioral or emotional concerns, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and alcohol misuse.
- Couples counseling can be beneficial when one partner is diagnosed with a condition impacting their physical health such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, or diabetes.
How does couples therapy work?
Like individual therapy or family therapy, couples therapy typically involves weekly sessions, often with homework to complete between sessions. Throughout the therapy process, partners generally meet with the couple's therapist together, though individual sessions can be a part of the overall process. During sessions, the therapist may offer relationship education and neutral support and guidance, helping partners express themselves and learn effective communication techniques.
How long does treatment last?
Treatment length varies depending on the circumstances. Some couples may only need a few sessions to address specific relationship issues, while others may need longer or ongoing support to manage more complex challenges.
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What are some key aspects of effective couples therapy?
If you are interested in starting couples therapy sessions to improve your relationship, here are some tips that can help you get the most out of your sessions.
- Reflect on why you want to be in therapy, both individually and together.
- Focus on changing yourself and remembering that you can’t change your partner.
- Accept that you may need to change how you respond to problems.
- Ask the right questions to help you get to the root of relationship challenges.
- Approach communication with openness and respect, but be persistent.
What are our options for couples therapy?
There are various ways to work with a couples therapist. Options are available both in person and online, and research has found that online couples therapy can be just as effective as in-person treatment.
What are the benefits of online therapy?
In some cases, online therapy can be a more convenient and flexible option because it doesn’t require commuting to an office. Partners can attend from anywhere with an internet connection, even if they are in different locations. Get started with Regain to connect with a family therapist or marriage counselor online.
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Takeaway
Research has shown that couples therapy can be effective at helping couples manage various challenges, from sexual difficulties, infidelity, and communication issues to coping with the effects of physical or mental health conditions. Online therapy can be a convenient, effective alternative to in-person treatment.
What is the success rate of couples therapy?
It might depend on the type of relationship therapy used by mental health professionals. Some methods of couples counseling such as emotionally focused therapy and the Gottman Method may be up to 70% effective.
Couples counselors who use these methods may teach married couples and non-married couples emotional regulation, problem solving skills, communication skills (e.g., active listening), and conflict resolution skills so they can get on the same page about fostering a happy and healthy relationship.
What is the downside of couples therapy?
Couples seek therapy due to its many benefits, but there may be downsides as well. Potential disadvantages of couples therapy may include:
- It can be expensive.
- It can be time-consuming.
- It may not be appropriate for all couples or relationship problems.
- It might not resolve conflicts in all cases.
What is the divorce rate after couples therapy?
Research suggests roughly 25 to 30% of couples experience negative outcomes such as divorce, despite intervention from a couples counselor. Even couples who don’t stay together may benefit from seeing a licensed mental health counselor, though. Therapy could help these couples come to a mutual understanding and split amicably.
What should you not say in couples therapy?
Couples therapy is intended to provide a safe and neutral environment where you can freely express your feelings. Generally, there aren’t any rules about what you can or can’t say. Still, it may not be beneficial to make negative comments about your partner’s character or blame them for relationship problems.
When not to do couples therapy?
It may not be appropriate to seek couples counseling in every situation. For example, this type of counseling isn’t advised when there is active substance misuse or domestic violence in the relationship. Moreover, some types of therapy might not be appropriate for non-traditional couples such as those in polyamorous relationships.
What is a common reason that couples therapy fails?
One common reason that couples therapy fails may be that one or more partners are no longer committed to the relationship. Other reasons could include substance misuse, intimate partner violence, or ongoing infidelity. Moreover, some couples find that their therapist isn’t a good match. With Regain, you can switch to a different therapist at any time for no additional cost.
How long do most couples stay in couples therapy?
While most couples stay in therapy for a few months, others attend sessions for a year or more. The duration of therapy could depend on the level of relationship distress the couple is experiencing, specific relationship dynamics, and the type of therapeutic process used.
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