By Marta Hatter, LCSW — licensed clinical social worker and certified EMDR therapist with nearly three decades of experience.
Many people train with a coach or mentor in fitness, golf, music, tennis, financial management, and other areas where they want to grow their skills. Relationship counseling is no different. By accepting relationship advice, you’re investing in your “relationship intelligence” and developing skills that benefit you and all of the people in your life.
Why relationship counseling
Relationship counseling can help individuals navigate the complexities of their personal connections, whether in romantic relationships, family dynamics, friendships, or professional interactions—regardless of sexual orientation or marital status.
Many individuals seek counseling to gain a deeper understanding of their relationship patterns, improve communication skills, and develop healthier connections. Others may come for support in healing from past relationship wounds, setting boundaries, or working through conflict. Relationship counseling can help address a variety of challenges, including:
- Communication problems
- Sexual difficulties
- Conflicts about child-rearing or blended families
- Substance abuse
- Anger
- Infidelity
Skills you will gain in relationship counseling
- Attain a better understanding of yourself, your goals, and your values
- Learn new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
- Learn how to manage anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
- How to accept and implement relationship advice
- Improve communication and listening skills
- Change old behavior patterns and develop new ones
- Discover new ways to solve problems and resolve conflict
- Improve your self-identity and boost your self-confidence
When to seek help
If you find yourself caught in repeated misunderstandings or conflicts, it may be time to seek help. Often, these issues arise not just from disagreements over words, but from differences in how we process emotions. Many conflicts persist because we react impulsively instead of taking the time to understand what’s really happening. If you’re struggling to break free from these patterns, seeking relationship counseling can help you develop better communication skills, foster understanding, and create healthier, more meaningful connections.
What to expect
Relationship-focused couples therapy typically brings couples together to learn skills to strengthen their relationship, such as:
- Effective communication
- Conflict resolution
- Discuss differences rationally
- Build trust
[mayoclinic.org, Mayo Clinic staff, December 2018]
Premarital counseling can help couples who plan to get married. Couples can gain a deeper understanding of each other and work out any differences before marriage. Please see premarital counseling to learn more.
Prevention
Many relationship challenges, often stemming from unresolved conflicts, can be prevented through relationship counseling. This process helps you:
- Identify any emotional dynamics that are being replayed from your childhood.
- Learn how to relate to others in a more nurturing and loving way.
- Learn about relational intelligence and ways to increase connection.
- Learn about your attachment style and how to navigate the attachment styles of those important to you.
By Marta Hatter, LCSW.
She is a Certified EMDR Therapist and a member of NASW and EMDRIA. Her background also includes leadership roles in treatment programs, clinical supervision, and community education.