Benefits of Couples Counseling for Long-Term Relationships
Finding couples therapy in Chicago can be beneficial for relationships seeking to last in the long term. It improves communication and trust between partners while helping them feel more confident in themselves.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of marriage and family therapists is expected to grow approximately 13% by 2034. That's 7,700 more openings for this essential and misunderstood profession.
How Couples Therapy in Chicago Works
Couples counseling, or marriage counseling, is a specialized form of counseling for relationships. It helps navigate challenges and enhance communication skills.
Sessions include guided conversations led by Chicago relationship experts, such as a family therapist or psychologist. They help steer conversations between partners in a healthy way.
There are also certain specialized therapy methods that may be used, such as:
The Gottman Method
Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT)
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Narrative Therapy
Imago Relationship Therapy
How Soon Should You Go to Couples Therapy?
There is no "wrong" time to go to couples therapy. It is never too soon.
It's also a misconception that you should wait until a major issue occurs, because using it proactively can prevent resentment.
Signs that it's time include:
Frequent conflicts
Poor communication
Lack of physical or emotional intimacy
Major life changes
What Are the Benefits of Couples Counseling?
Couples therapy in Chicago has various benefits that help create better partners and relationships. It leads to closer connections and personal growth.
The best part is the flexibility. You can often enjoy these benefits at home through virtual visits as well as in-person ones.
Conflict Resolution
Despite what TV and film might portray, conflicts aren't the only reason to seek out couples therapy in Chicago. You don't have to be fighting constantly to benefit from it.
However, therapy will teach you strategies to de-escalate conflicts and resolve disputes. This prevents recurring problems from creating resentment and damaging your relationship.
Improved Communication
Communication breakdowns are common in relationships. One partner may fail to say what they mean or misunderstand the other's intentions.
Couples therapy helps you find different and more effective ways to communicate. It teaches you to express your needs clearly. It also teaches you to actively listen instead of waiting for your opportunity to provide feedback.
Deeper Physical and Emotional Connection
The therapy process can help couples have a deeper physical and emotional connection.
It provides a safe space for them to talk about issues. The skills it teaches will help you communicate better and discover what each other needs and wants. Knowing that your partner is willing to go through the process with you can make it a bonding experience.
Trust Building and Healing
Americans' overall trust in one another has been dropping in the last few decades. According to a Pew Research study, the number of respondents who said others could generally be trusted fell from approximately 46% in 1972 to 34% in 2024.
These general trust issues can also spread into personal relationships. Major events, such as infidelity, can trigger them. They can also show up in smaller ways. You may constantly check your partner's phone or ask where they're going.
Couples therapy can help deal with these issues. They can help get to the root of the problem and help partners heal from any unexamined trauma so they can trust each other again.
Support for Life Stressors and Major Transitions
Couples who are content should still consider therapy during major life transitions, such as:
Retiring
Becoming a parent
Health challenges
Caring for aging parents
The changes don't have to be that severe for therapy to make a difference, either. It can also help with the daily stresses of life. These can include:
Work stress
Financial issues
Challenging family dynamics
Couples therapy helps you overcome these changes together. It's a proactive way to cope with the ways they affect your relationship in a positive way.
Personal Growth
Individuals can grow from couples therapy. It helps enhance their:
Self-esteem
Emotional intelligence
Self-awareness
It's also possible to combine couples therapy with individual adult therapy. It helps each partner become a better partner. It can also improve their overall emotional well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Percentage of Couples Survive Couples Therapy?
According to the latest 2020 data from a study by Bradburry and Bodenman, approximately 50-60% of couples see a benefit from behavioral or emotion-focused therapy. Approximately 50% maintain these benefits for two years.
Both couples need to be fully committed if they expect to see results. They need to be actively listening during sessions and using the advice at home. That's when they'll see true personal and relationship growth.
What Should You Not Say in Couples Therapy?
Don't accuse your partner of intentionally hurting you. Don't give ultimatums such as "if you loved me, you would or wouldn't do this." Don't overshare either and say things that are too personal and aren't related to the problem at hand.
Use "I" statements to say what you feel more gently. You could say, "I feel abandoned when you go out with your friends instead of on a date night with me," instead of "You clearly care more about your friends than me."
How Long Should You Stay in Couples Counseling?
Therapy for couples in Chicago can last from months to years. The average is 12 to 25 sessions.
The duration depends on:
The therapist
The couple's motivation to change
The severity of the issues being addressed
You may need to return if new issues arise. It can also be a form of long-term maintenance to ensure your relationship stays healthy for years to come.
Find Therapy for Couples in Chicago Today
Couples therapy in Chicago can benefit relationships at any stage, from the newly engaged to established marriages. Sessions help teach partners to communicate with each other and grow personally.
Formative Psychological Services offers mental health services to individuals, couples, and families. We also offer training for schools and clinicians.
Our skilled team creates a safe space during every appointment to make telling your story easier and more comfortable. Our goal is to empower you to live the life you want.
We're available to meet in person or virtually. Contact us to schedule an appointment today.
