Couples Therapy & Marriage Counseling in Plano TX | SCC (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between couples therapy and couples Counselling? ›

During therapy, couples will look closely at the issues they've had over their relationship. While both parties are usually present during sessions, a therapist may ask to meet with each person for individual counseling. Marriage counseling is usually a short-term treatment program with a specific end date.

Generally the results vary depending on the therapist, but between 70-90% of couples find couples therapy beneficial. Beyond that, approximately two-thirds report an improvement in their general physical well-being as well. It's important to note that with more sessions comes more success.

In fact, research shows that couples therapy positively impacts 70% of those receiving treatment. And for many couples, seeking out professional help can be the difference between making the long haul or becoming a divorce statistic. But what exactly is marriage counseling, and how does it work?

It's not typical practice to see the same therapist as your husband or wife, as it can lead to dual relationships and compromise confidentiality. Because a therapist's primary duty is to their client, seeing both parties can create a conflict of interest.

Emotionally focused couples therapy (EFT)

Although initially designed for marriage counseling, it can also be applied to any adult relationship, including couples and family counseling. EFT is commonly used in hospitals, exclusive practices, clinics, and training centers.

Key Takeaway: Choosing between a marriage counselor and therapist depends on your needs: opt for counseling to improve communication and solve conflicts, or therapy to tackle individual mental health issues affecting the relationship.

The cons of couples therapy

Unfortunately often times couples start therapy too late – so the biggest con of couples therapy is that it isn't magic. You can't have issues for years and be at the boiling point of separation and then expect to come to counseling for a month and fix everything.

Couples Counseling Statistics

Currently, couples counseling has a success rate of roughly 70 percent. About 80 percent of therapists in private practice offer couples therapy. Nearly 50 percent of married couples have gone to marriage counseling.

A licensed marriage family therapist specializes in working with couples and families. These couples counseling professionals focus on helping people repair relationships and develop essential relationship skills. A LMFT must have a master's degree in marriage and family therapy or a similar discipline.

How long are most couples in marriage counseling? ›

Couples therapy, on average, may last anywhere from a few weeks to several months. Short-term interventions typically involve about 8 to 12 sessions, with each session lasting 50 minutes to an hour. This type of intervention is most applicable for couples dealing with specific issues.

If both parties are genuinely wanting to find a way of making things better again after a rough patch, and are both prepared to change to accommodate the other, then there is a chance that couples therapy can help rebuild the relationship.

Unfortunately, not all therapists are trained the same way, to acknowledge their biases. And the ever present media portrayals of therapists perpetuate the myths of neutrality and being unbiased.

Through the course of the sessions, the therapist will help the couple apply new communication patterns and approaches to problem solving. The therapist and the couple usually meet every two or three weeks, but it is also possible to meet more often depending on the severity of the case.

Medical Definition

couples therapy. noun. variants or couples counseling. : usually short-term counseling designed to help couples understand and resolve problems, dissatisfaction, and conflict in their relationship : marriage counseling.

Put simply, the difference between the two is that couples therapy is generally apropos for couples looking to resolve a certain issue; premarital counseling (also called pre-marriage counseling) is for engaged partners looking to lay the groundwork for a healthy marriage.

There are many benefits of couples therapy, like helping you overcome challenges and deepen your connection with your partner. Studies show that around 70% of couples found therapy to be effective.

Contrary to common belief, seeking couples therapy is not an indicator of impending relationship doom. Instead, it signifies a proactive approach to nurturing a thriving, resilient partnership.