Do you feel distant from your partner? Have you changed? Do you find yourself thinking about others? Do you have resentments toward your partner? Do you feel like you are doing all of the work? Do you argue the majority of time you are together? Have you formed emotionally dependent relationships with co-workers? If you answered yes to any of these questions you could benefit from couples therapy. Here are a list of the most common areas addressed in couple’s therapy:
- Communication
- Conflict Resolution
- Infidelity
- Money Management
- Parenting
- Infertility Issues
- Unfulfilled Emotional Needs
When I see couples I assess to determine if both people want things to change. Often times there is one person pushing the couple’s therapy. Couples therapy is not as effective if one person is already checked out at the door. I give my couples assignments to work on since much of the conflict happens outside of the office. Some of the books that I currently use for couples are as follows:
- The Seven Principles of Making Marriage Work by John Gottman
- His Needs Her Needs by Harley
- Love and Respect
- The Couple’s Survival Workbook by Olsen and Stephens
- The Power of Two Workbook by Heitler and Hirsch