Who Can Go to Couples Therapy… Other Than Couples?
Couples therapy is often stereotypically discussed and depicted as being between two people who are married discussing their marital concerns. Although this is what couples therapy can look like, there are a lot of other ways couples therapy can be conducted. Couples therapy can be a valuable resource for a wide range of individuals and relationships.
Couples therapy can be beneficial for friends.
Our social network and friendships are very important for our emotional well-being and personal growth. When these relationships and connections face conflict or issues, it can have a big effect on us. Some of the issues that can be addressed in friendship therapy are around disagreements and misunderstandings, a change in life circumstances and priorities, maintaining long-distance friendships, building a deeper connection and more. Friendship therapy allows the friends to address their issues, improve their communication, and strengthen their bond to one another.
Couples therapy can be beneficial for parent-child relationships.
One of the most significant relationships in our lives is typically the relationship we have with our parents or caregivers. As the relationship between caregiver and child progresses and develops, parents and children may begin to face conflicts and communication issues.
Parent-child therapy can provide a safe and supportive environment to address these concerns and conflicts. Some of the most common issues that get addressed in parent-child therapy are communication breakdowns, life stage transitions, coping with major life changes or trauma, behavioral problems, and more. Through this type of therapy, the parent and the child can improve their communication, understanding, and overall family dynamics and relationship with one another.
Couples therapy can be beneficial for siblings.
It’s common for siblings to have complex relationships that involve rivalries, unresolved childhood conflicts, and differences in personality. These factors can cause strained relationships and so sibling therapy can help individuals to work through these issues and find a more constructive, healthier way to relate and connect to one another.
Couples therapy can be beneficial for couples who are “just dating” or who just broke up.
Couples therapy is not just for people who are married or dating. You can go to couples therapy with a partner who you just started dating or who you’ve been dating for 5 years. You can go to couples therapy if you just broke up and want to process the break up together. Or maybe you broke up and you need to have conversations about kids, pets, or belongings.
Whether you're looking to improve your relationship with a family member, a friend, or your partner, the principles of effective communication, conflict resolution, and understanding are universal.
