Most couples tend to see therapy as a last resort to try to retrieve something of their relationship. Not infrequently couples present when their relationship is devoid of energy, a will to repair or hope of recovery. Metaphorically it’s always easier to treat a cold than pneumonia but the pneumonia phenonomen is most often the presenting prognosis. Notwithstanding pneumonia is a very treatable illness requiring time, attention and empathic repair.
You don’t have to be in the pneumonia or common cold allegory to avail of couples counselling. In fact communication tools and fresh listening skills can be learned in order to sustain positive constructive and healthy patterns of interaction. Such patterns can often be taken for granted and somehow dissipate or vanish with familiarity and time.
The primary goal of couples therapy is to increase your understanding of yourself, your partner, and the patterns of interactions which have become problematic in your relationship. Once these have been explored and understood, you are taught how to change your feelings, thoughts, and actions, to change ineffective or destructive behaviours into positive ones which in turn will enhance your relationship.
Imago Relationship Therapy provides a framework for couples to relearn skills and develop capacity which heal and grow each other simultaneously. Conflict in relationship does not have to be a crisis but rather an opportunity for growth and healing. The Couples Dialogue is a method and learned skill which is taught and learned in couples therapy, it is practiced at home and perfected in the safety of the therapist’s office.