Christian Couples Counseling

Also known as relationship counseling or couples therapy, couples counseling focuses on the couple as the client. Counseling for couples does not focus solely on the individual needs of each person as individual counseling does. The couple does not have to be married to go through therapy. The therapist will assess the couple (together or separately), work with the couple to create therapy goals, and then work collaboratively toward those goals.

If the counselor notices more pressing concerns that need to be addressed individually, he may recommend Individual Counseling. Couples Counseling at Laguna Christian Counseling is not effective if both people in the relationship are not on the same page in therapy. When one is engaged and motivated and the other is not, therapy is not usually helpful. A couples counselor will not “take sides,” but will remain a neutral party willing to see both sides.

The most common presenting problems in couples therapy are infidelity, divorce/separation, poor conflict management, poor communication, loss of love, emotional distance, life changes, financial struggles, sexual dissatisfaction, and parenting conflicts.

Couples counseling is often short-term, and the Christian counselors in Laguna will determine what types of therapy and interventions will be used based on the presenting problems. Some of the most common types of therapy used in couples counseling are Emotion-Focused Therapy, The Gottman Method, Collaborative Couples Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and others. It is important to find a counselor experienced in couples therapy as it is quite different from individual counseling.

Often couples wait until they are ready for divorce or things have gotten bad before they seek couples therapy, but it is important to seek counseling before it gets to this point. The therapist will teach the couple vital skills that will help their relationship improve at any stage. A couple should seek counseling when experiencing excessive conflict, difficulty communicating, sexual issues, divorce/separation discussions, and any other issues mentioned. However, counseling can benefit any couple willing to work together to make their relationship stronger.