Couples therapy differs from individual therapy in so much as the therapist gives her evenly weighted attention to two persons, and in so doing seeks to support the couple in making meaning of whatever it is that has brought them to seek therapy.
This includes supporting each person in the couple to develop a capacity for insight into behaviours and relationship patterns that may have been keeping the couple stuck in an unhappy or troubling situation.
Generally I see the couple together but at times if appropriate I will see them individually.
Issues and difficulties that bring couples to therapy are many and varied. They may include:
- thinking about separation/divorce
- conflict with children
- concerns about children
- differences in how to manage extended family relationships
- divided loyalties
- conflict with in-laws
- communication challenges
- feeling misunderstood
- different needs for emotional intimacy
- sexual difficulties
- dealing with infidelity/betrayals
- dealing with step-children
- challenges of blended families
- changing identity issues
- changes due to age
- differing values and goals
- power imbalances
Nada Lane 