These days, with an abundance of additional pressures, it is to be expected that relationships will be tested. If you’re thinking of taking that first step towards working on your relationship, read on for an overview of what to expect.
What will be discussed in a relationship counselling session?
The first thing will be to discuss what made you take the step of booking couples counselling. This may be a particular incident all of your arguments seem to come back to, or a more general issue such as communication problems or a lack of emotional connection. Your counsellor will help you with enhancing communication, rebuilding emotional connection, and mediating discussion on big topics such as reoccurring conflicts or trust breakdown.
You may also like to discuss how your relationship started. Beginning the process of reconnection can be as simple as remembering what drew you together in the first place. Working out your strengths as a couple is a powerful way to find out how to solve your relationship problems together. The circumstances you met under, what initially attracted you to each other, and the ways you first connected can all be reignited to help you both overcome current relationship obstacles.
Discussing your individual histories is important too. Both you and your partner may have individual blocks to connecting effectively, which can in turn affect your relationship. Your histories before you met, past relationships, and childhoods can all have an impact on your current relationship conflict.
Having a formal discussion of these particular issues may help your partner see things from your perspective, or vice versa. A structured session that lets you both have your say can help prevent the conversation from delving into arguments. It provides insight into what is driving these arguments.
Working it out
Finally, your counsellor will work with you to find out what kind of relationship it is that you want.
Working on relationship improvement can be as simple as rehashing your problems into mutual goals.
‘We never talk anymore,’ can become a goal to work on bettering your communication. Some ways to achieve this might include:
- making an effort to ask about each other’s day,
- scheduling dates or set times you can talk properly, and
- working on being open and honest with each other.
‘We’re always fighting,’ might involve setting rules around arguments, such as:
- working on approaching disagreements in a calm manner,
- avoiding shouting and insults, and
- getting to the heart of the problem instead of arguing over trivial surface matters.
By mapping out a path to where you both want your relationship to be heading, you can begin the process of getting there.
Taking the first step
Booking a first relationship counselling session is a great start.
Read more about our relationship counselling service in Melbourne, Australia, here.
Or explore the option of online counselling, here.
Still have further questions? You can contact the relationship therapists at Safe Place Therapy.
If you’re ready to take the next step, you can schedule an appointment for relationship counselling here.
