“The quality of our closest relationships, more than any other factor, determines our physical health, resistance to disease, and longevity.” ~ John M. Gottman & Julie S. Gottman
Relationships play a major role in life, and research indicates that satisfying relationships lead to greater subjective wellbeing and can predict satisfaction with life more generally. Relationships, like all important parts of life, can take effort to maintain and sustain. Sometimes it can be hard, and there can be a reduction in communication and intimacy. Empathic Counselling provides a safe and non-judgemental space for couples to work through any relationship concerns that they are experiencing. The counsellor provides a neutral and balanced perspective to facilitate communication and goal-setting between the couple.
It might be time to try Couples Therapy if:
- You’ve tried to address your relationship issues together, but it hasn’t been successful
- You are arguing more often without resolving anything
- You want a neutral and non-judgemental space to talk things through
- You feel disconnected from your partner
- You are struggling with parenting
- You have lost trust in your partner due to infidelity or a breach of trust
Empathic Counselling supports couples to:
- Improve their communication, connection and intimacy
- Deepen their empathy and compassion for one another
- Identify and manage the factors which are contributing to stress in the relationship
- Identify goals to achieve as individuals and as a couple
- Change problematic conflict patterns and address unresolved conflict
- Recover from relationship injuries such as affairs or breaches of trust
- Negotiate relationship expectations and roles, such as housework, parenting etc
- Navigate life transitions such as getting married, having a child etc
- Navigate parenting issues (with special interest in supporting parents of neurodivergent children)
Some of the benefits of Couples Therapy include:
- Developing a deeper awareness of self, each other, and the relationship
- Becoming more able to identify and express feelings, fears, values, and hopes
- Learning to identify issues that lead to recurring conflicts and disconnection, and developing strategies to manage this
- Improving communication skills through learning more about each other’s communication style, and learning skills that are helpful rather than harmful to the relationship
- Strengthening of friendship and attachment with each other
- Improving the overall satisfaction of your relationship
Therapeutic Approaches
When working with couples, Empathic Counselling primarily uses the Gottman Method of Couples Therapy. Sasha has level 1 and 2 clinical training in the Gottman Method of Couples Therapy.
The Gottman Method of Couples Therapy
The Gottman Method of Couples Therapy is designed to support couples of all cultures and sexual orientations. The Gottman Method is backed by over 40 years of rigorous research and includes practical and actionable steps that help couples to continue to work on their issues outside of therapy. Studies have shown that the Gottman Method can significantly improve relationship satisfaction.
The Gottman Method of Couples Therapy helps couples strengthen their relationships in three primary areas:
Friendship
Conflict Management
Creation of shared meaning
Interventions used in the Gottman Method are research-based and grounded in the Sound Relationship House theory. This theory identifies seven “floors” that a couple can move through to improve their relationship, along with two “weight-bearing walls,” which are essential to holding the couple together. Each floor of the Sound Relationship House represents an opportunity for couples to develop new skills that will strengthen their relationship.
Couples Therapy Policy:
Please do not book a Couples Therapy appointment if both partners are not willing to actively participate in the therapy process. Couples Therapy is a commitment, and can only be effective if both partners want to invest in the future of their relationship. Couples Therapy is not a place to blame or criticise your partner or to expect only your partner to change. Please also note that Couples Therapy is not appropriate if there is any current physical or emotional abuse in the relationship. In addition, if one or both partners have an untreated moderate to severe mental health condition (including addiction), Couples Therapy is not recommended.
You can book your appointment through the Booking page.