Tips for Finding the Right Couples Therapist for Your Relationship

Finding a therapist that meets your needs can be challenging; finding a couples therapist that meets both your and your partner's needs can be even more so. 

If both partners are willing to try it, couples therapy can be a great tool in improving and strengthening your relationship. A couples therapist helps you learn how you can overcome relationship hurdles, together. When you go to couples therapy, you understand that it's not you vs. your partner. Rather, it is you and your partner vs the problem.

Finding a couples therapist, however, is not easy. It requires a lot of time, effort, and research, but we're here to make it easier for you.

In this article, we share some tips that you should keep in mind when you're looking for the right couples therapist for your relationship.

What is couples therapy?

Before we dive in, let's talk about what couples therapy actually is. 

Couples therapy is a form of psychotherapy that is designed to help partners improve and strengthen their relationships. Your therapist may integrate different approaches to help you and your partner, overcome relationship issues such as infidelity, recurring conflicts, communication issues, and more. Typically, it is a short-term form of therapy that helps you connect better with your partner.

With couples therapy, you can find a safe, unbiased space to discuss and resolve your relationship concerns with your partner. It helps you identify the issues in your relationship, spot any dysfunctional patterns, and ultimately equips you with effective skills and strategies to overcome these challenges.

Couples therapy can also be excellent for couples to rekindle and rebuild their connection. People report feeling closer to their partner and gaining a better understanding 

How you can find the right couples therapist

Do you couples therapy is the right fit for you? Let's understand how you can find the right therapist to help you build a better connection with your partner.

Also read: How Couples Therapy Improves Communication and Trust

Determine what you want from the sessions

Before you even begin searching for the right therapists, it's important to understand what you want to get out of couples therapy. Do you want to overcome communication issues? Understand your partner better? Rekindle your connection?

Knowing your goals can help you narrow down your search for the perfect therapists. Look for professionals who list the type of concerns they deal with and whether it matches your needs. 

Start your search online

Yes, in the 21st century, most people would begin their search by googling questions like, “best couples therapist near me?”

But you need to be specific about your concerns; are you dealing with infidelity issues? Do you have communication gaps between you and your partner? Or, do you want to simply work on improving your relationship? Searching for therapists based on your specific concern can help narrow down your search.

Besides looking for a therapist online, you can also opt for online sessions for you and your partner. Online therapy can not only be more affordable, but can make it easier to attend sessions as well.

Also read: The Grey Rock Technique: Your Guide on Surviving Abusive Relationships

Keep a list of questions ready

It's natural to have doubts before you start therapy, or even during the process, but you don't always have to resort to the Internet. If you have questions about how your therapist will work with you and your partner, it's best to ask them directly. 

Keep a list of questions ready, no matter how minor your doubt may seem. Whether you want to know how many sessions you will need to attend or if your therapist has dealt with similar concerns before, clarity about the process helps you understand what you can expect and lets your therapist know what you want from the sessions.

Give it time and provide feedback

Building a therapeutic relationship may take some time, so it is best to attend a few sessions to see how you feel. A good couples therapist will always be open to feedback and adapting their approach to suit you and your partner.

Remember, therapy is a collaborative approach. If you feel that something is not working for you, do not hesitate to bring it up and address it with your therapist.

Also read: How to Cope With Stress and Anxiety in Relationships

Couples therapy can be an excellent start to improving your relationship with your partner. No matter what your concern is, a mental health professional can help you both identify its root cause and understand how you can move forward.