Couples Therapy

What is Couples Therapy?

Couples therapy is a form of counseling used to treat relationship distress, addresses the couple’s relationship, and individual to explore and understand their similarities and differences, with respect and compassion for themselves and their partner.

Understanding ourselves, and what gets evoked within an interpersonal or romantic relationship, can sometimes be a mystery. In couples therapy, you have the benefit of exploring your primary patterns of relating, and beliefs about your mate in the relationship in a safe, supportive and respectful environment. Dr. Mike seeks to help couples increase emotional connectedness, resolve conflict, take responsibility for themselves, deepen intimacy, and work through stages of life challenges.

Is Couples Therapy for Married Coupes Only?

Absolutely not! Dr. Mike works with individuals at various stages of their relationship…from those who are newly dating to those who have been together for decades. Dr. Mike is interested in helping people develop greater satisfaction from their relationship.

Why Do People Seek Couples Therapy?

People often seek couples therapy for many reasons. A clinician and couple may work together for as few as five or six sessions or as long as several years, depending on the couple’s unique treatment needs and goals for therapy. Couples therapy can help individuals work through many different issues including, but not limited to:

  • Relational conflict.
  • Pre-marital concerns.
  • Emotional distress, enmeshment, or estrangement.
  • Not feeling like you are on the same page.
  • Trust issues.
  • Trouble with intimacy.
  • Sexual concerns.
  • Communication issues.
  • Impact of trauma.
  • Interpersonal or personality conflict.
  • Desire to strengthen your commitment to each other.
  • Exploring ways to have increased satisfaction.
  • Navigating recovery from sexual abuse.
  • The presence of a mental illness in one or both partners, and its impact on the relationship.
  • Parenting issues.

Is Couples Therapy the Right Course of Treatment for Us?

If during the couples therapy process, it becomes apparent that one or both individuals are struggling with personal issues that overshadow the couples therapy process, Dr. Mike will discuss the nature of the issue(s) with the couple, and make a referral for adjunctive therapy in order that both individuals may address their individual treatment needs separately. This is a very common issue that individuals in couples therapy may face.

To learn more about couples therapy services available at The Psychology Practice of Michael G. Selders, Ph.D., PLLC please call 214.421.0821 and we will be happy to answer any questions you might have.