Couples Counselling / Relationship Therapy /
Marriage Counselling
Relationship -, couples -, or marriage counselling is the process of working with a qualified therapist on conflict resolution, communication, commitment, trust, and finding joy again in the relationship. This helps your relationship transition from a tense situation to a healthier, more productive partnership. It can also help a couple whilst dating or before marriage to establish healthy and happy ways of relating and building foundations for long term goals.
Marriage and family therapy is typically:
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Brief (around 12 sessions)
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solution-focussed
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specific, with attainable therapeutic goals
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designed with the "end in mind."
Marriage and couple therapists are well-trained, skilled and highly experienced practitioners with an average of 13 years of clinical practice in the field. They evaluate and treat mental and emotional disorders, other health and behavioural problems, and address a wide array of relationship issues within the context of couple’s counselling such as infidelity, conflict, different parenting styles, and disconnect.
Does Couples Counselling work? Is Couples Counselling Effective?
Research generally shows positive to very positive outcomes for most couples: the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy reports success rates for marriage counselling of 70%, the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists states that the success rate is 90% for couples who complete therapy with a highly trained couples’ therapist in terms of increased emotional well-being. Of course, success may mean that couples (and families) stay together with more satisfaction, but interestingly, other metrics such as increased emotional wellbeing, enhanced extended family relationships, improvement in general physical well-being, improvement in well-being for the couple’s children, and a 98% success rate for couples finding therapy a ‘good ’or ‘excellent’ experience (AAMFT).
What can Couples / Relationship Therapy Help with?
Below are some common relationship issues that indicate that you and your partner may benefit from seeing a Couples Counselling Psychologist:
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Frequent fights and conflicts
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Lack of physical and emotional intimacy
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Limited meaningful communication and drifting apart
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Contrasting opinions on parenting
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External influences, such as career or in-laws interfering in your relationship
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Infidelity, lies or deception, and broken trust
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Blended families needing help with integrating as a unit.
If you can relate to any of these relationship problems, it may be time to get effective help from an our skilled and experienced psychologists based in Adelaide. An unhappy relationship affects a person’s whole well-being. Moreover, children and extended family, and even friends, may find themselves being hurt by the disconnectedness and conflict. If this is your life, it’s crucial to find help from an experienced and effective psychologist as this can literally change the course of your lives.
Benefits from seeking Couples Therapy / Relationship Counselling
Therapy and counselling may help yield the following benefits:
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Learn clearer, effective communication
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Develop effective problem-solving techniques
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Help explore and encourage ways to improve your connection
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Promote unity and commitment
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Help you get along better with your partner
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Envisioning a mutually agreed upon, happier future with your partner
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Learn ways to fulfil each other’s needs more effectively
How to ensure Success in Couples Counselling
A common pitfall for couples in a relationship is to focus on what the other party needs to improve. Whilst they may well have a point, successful relationship counselling is about learning to work on your challenges both as a couple and as an individual, gaining insight and skills that ultimately lead to growth and happiness both individually and in your relationship.
The following is likely to yield more successful outcomes:
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Striving to have a positive, hopeful attitude to therapy
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Being willing to open up, listen and change
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Focussing on changing yourself and your own behaviours, not your partner’s
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Asking tough questions of yourself and your partner to expose challenges
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Communicating honestly and openly with your partner
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Regulating emotions to maintain a safe environment for you both
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Striving to be patient, kind and compassionate with your partner.
Research shows that couples who stick it out even when therapy is difficult, have superior outcomes. Couple’s counselling works, and it works particularly well when everyone is on board and committed. A very high percentage of clients (over 90%) report that therapy was worth it and that they regained their happiness.
Couples / Relationship Counselling | Adelaide Psychology Clinic
At Kensington Psychology & Well-Being, you can find a kind and experienced Adelaide Psychologist to provide professional relationship therapy. With extensive training and years of experience, our relationship psychologists truly understand the importance of love and a happy relationship for your overall well-being.
Our psychologists provide expert advice, effective techniques, and strategies for both unmarried and married couples. If you are concerned about your relationship and feeling unhappy in it, consult a professional couples-counselling psychologist. We are here to help you resolve problems in your relationship, and we can also help you to communicate effectively, solve disputes, increase honesty and connection, improve your sex life, and build trust and fidelity. Furthermore, our Adelaide Psychologists are skilled and qualified in providing same sex couple counselling services.
Regardless of the nature or status of your relationship, it is now possible to be the happy couple you always wanted to be!
Adelaide Psychologists & Therapists | Relationship / Couples Therapy
Get in touch with us
We offer a comprehensive range of services to treat and nurture the body and mind and get you back on the path to health and well-being.
If you’re ready to reach out to the Kensington Psychology & Well-Being team regarding our services, please get in touch by calling us on 08 7006 5225 or via our Online Contact Form.