What Should You Know About Relationship Counseling?

Relationship counseling serves as a guiding light for individuals, couples and more navigating the complexities of intimate relationships. Rooted in approaches like Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Gottman Method Couples Therapy, every therapist approaches relationship counseling differently, but there are some similar concepts across the board on how to approach relationships.

Different Relationship Counseling Approaches

In EFT, there is an emphasis on understanding the emotional needs that are behind your underlying behaviors. In other words, what feeling or emotion drives what you do and how you interact with your partner(s)? In addition, EFT-focused relationship therapy focuses on developing and fostering secure attachment bonds within relationships. This, in turn, leads to deeper connection and intimacy.

Similarly, the Gottman Method Couples Therapy focuses on strengthening the friendship and respect of each other within the relationship. It helps individuals learn and practice effective communication and conflict-resolution skills. Within therapy sessions, you will learn to identify destructive interaction patterns that you have and replace them with more effective ways of interacting. This helps people to rebuild trust and create lasting harmony within a relationship.

Similarities in Relationship Counseling Approaches

Regardless of the clinical approach to relationships, there is a central notion of creating a secure emotional bond between individuals in the relationship. An experienced relationship therapist helps you learn to recognize and respond to, each other’s needs using empathy and understanding. By prioritizing emotional connections and respect for each person in the relationship, you can create a foundation for a resilient and fulfilling relationship.

Relationship counseling approaches offer a roadmap to follow, to cultivate healthy and thriving relationships. Drawing from principles of EFT and Gottman Method Couples Therapy, therapists can provide you with practice tools and strategies to navigate your challenges while deepening your bond. Helping to foster emotional awareness, mutual respect, promoting effective communication, and relationship counseling can empower you to overcome obstacles and build a solid relationship core.

Types of Relationship Counseling

There are different types of relationship counseling, depending on what your needs are. The top four types are:

• Individual Relationship Counseling

• Couples (or Marriage) Relationship Counseling

• Poly Relationship Counseling for Ethical Non-Monogamy

• Group Relationship Counseling

In individual relationship counseling, you work one-on-one with a relationship therapist to focus on whatever your goals may be related to relationships. You may unpack your past relationships, identify unhealthy patterns that you have engaged in, and figure out how to change your behaviors so you can succeed in future relationships. Looking at the impact of trauma, grief, and your family-of-origin relationships are important aspects of individual relationship therapy.

For couples counseling or marriage counseling, you and your partner are working together in the same session with a trained therapist. The focus is on the relationship between the two partners, and assessing what the strengths and weaknesses are of that relationship. You might discuss topics such as friendship, romance, intimacy, conflict, attachment, and communication.

A newer field of relationship counseling works with individuals in poly relationships, with more than 2 individuals. Also called ethical non-monogamy. A relationship therapist with this expertise will meet with all members of the pod together with a focus on the overlapping and interactive relationships between everyone. In this type of therapy, focuses may include attachment bonds between individuals and how that impacts the poly relationship.

Finally, relationship concerns can also be addressed through group counseling. In particular, interpersonal process groups (IPG) that focus on the in-the-moment interactions between group members is a highly effective way to treat relationship issues. In group counseling, you might discuss how one member reacts to another’s statement or non-verbal language in a non-judgmental and accepting way.

Finding the Right Relationship Counselor

If you are interested in seeking relationship counseling in Colorado, you may be wondering what the best way is to go about it. Many therapists specialize in individual relationship counseling. Those therapists that provide couples or poly relationship counseling are more difficult to find because those areas require additional specialized training. 

When looking for a good-fit relationship counseling for yourself, first identify what type of relationship counseling you want. Then do some research to find a therapist that meets your needs. Whether you want to be seen virtually or in-person, need to use your insurance or can pay out-of-pocket, or want to match a therapist’s approach with your own philosophy of relationships, there is a therapist out there for you.

Next Steps to Find a Relationship Counseling in Colorado

If you are seeking to take the next step in building healthier relationships and live in Colorado, contact us for a free 20-minute phone consultation. We have several trained relationship therapists with different specializations, fees, and scheduling availability. At Catalyss Counseling, we are committed to matching you with the right-fit relationship therapist so you can thrive in your relationships no matter what!

How We Can Help:

Check out our Relationship Counseling options and get started today!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION!

Follow these simple steps if you are looking for general support, or if you would like to talk to someone more about how we can help you:

1. Contact us today for a free 20-minute phone consultation

2. Or, you can book directly online with the therapist of your choice

3. Begin your journey towards a calmer, more balanced life

Other Therapy Services Available at Catalyss Counseling:

Here at Catalyss Counseling, we want to meet all of your counseling needs in the Denver area. Our supportive therapists provide depression counseling, therapy for caregiver stress, grief and loss therapy, stress management counseling and more. We also have specialists in trauma and PTSD, women's issues, pregnancy and postpartum depression or anxiety, pregnancy loss and miscarriage, and birth trauma. For therapists, we can also provide clinical supervision! We look forward to connecting with you to help support your journey today.

Author Biography

Shannon Heers is a psychotherapist, approved clinical supervisor with Firelight Supervision, guest blogger, and the owner of a group psychotherapy practice in the Denver area. Shannon helps adults in professional careers manage anxiety, depression, work-life balance, and grief and loss. Follow Catalyss Counseling on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.