Couples Therapy Los Angeles
“Transforming relationships, one session at a time.”
Couples Therapy LA: Navigating Relationship Challenges Together
“Transforming relationships, one session at a time.”
We understand the difficulties that can arise when trying to maintain a healthy and happy relationship. That’s why our highly skilled professional therapist in Los Angeles, CA, can assist you with Couples Therapy in Los Angeles. Whether facing obstacles or seeking to deepen your connection with your partner, the design of our personalized marriage therapy sessions meets your unique needs. Begin your journey toward a healthier, happier relationship today!
What is Couples Therapy?
Couples therapy, also known as couples counseling, is a type of psychotherapy aimed at helping couples recognize and resolve conflicts and improve their relationship. It involves working with a trained therapist specializing in helping couples navigate their issues.
Couples therapy is invaluable for strengthening your relationship, regardless of whether you’re embarking on a new journey together, engaged, or already married. This form of talk therapy is beneficial at every stage of a relationship.
You and your partner work together to sort out conflicts, communicate better, and build a stronger emotional bond in couples counseling. It’s a helpful tool to make your relationship better and more fulfilling.
Who Should Consider Couples Therapy?
Couples therapy is recommended for any couple experiencing challenges or seeking to enhance their relationship. Couples can greatly benefit from couples counseling if their well-being is impacted by any of the following factors:
- Frequent and intense arguments
- Lack of communication
- Dishonesty about finances
- Little to no intimacy
- Presence of trust issues
- Loss of personal identity
- Infidelity or other betrayals
- Major life transitions
- Different parenting styles
- Cultural or family pressures
What Is the Success Rate of Couples Therapy?
According to the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), skilled couples therapy can lead to emotional improvement for 90% of couples who complete the treatment. Furthermore, approximately two-thirds of couples also experience enhanced physical well-being.
What Happens in Couples Therapy?
Couples therapy, led by a trained therapist, involves partners discussing their feelings, conflicts, and concerns. The therapist guides them to improve communication and problem-solving skills, aiming to strengthen the relationship by addressing issues, rebuilding trust, and enhancing overall satisfaction.
Reignite the Spark in Your Relationship Today!
Don’t wait another day to begin the journey towards a stronger, more fulfilling relationship.
Book your initial consultation with our certified Los Angeles couples therapy specialists. Let us guide you through the challenges and help you build a loving, resilient partnership.
Benefits of Couples Therapy
Rebuilding Trust
Couples therapy provides a safe and neutral space where you and your partner can explore the root causes of trust issues, rebuild a sense of security, and work towards restoring faith in each other.
Conflict Resolution
Many couples struggle to find healthier and constructive ways to resolve conflict, often leading to hurt feelings and resentment. Therapists provide valuable tools such as active listening and effective communication strategies to help couples express their needs, identify issues, and find helpful solutions for healthier conflict resolution.
Intimacy Building
Intimacy extends beyond mere physical closeness—it's about emotional and psychological bonds. Marriage therapy helps revive this intimacy by addressing issues, embracing vulnerability, and creating a safe space to share desires and needs openly.
Strengthened Bond
The ultimate objective of couples therapy is to enhance and deepen the bond between partners by encouraging open communication and shared growth. You and your partner can turn challenges into opportunities and build a stronger relationship capable of withstanding the ups and downs of life.
Better Understanding
Therapy helps to improve your understanding of each other and your partner. It encourages open and honest communication, leading to a deeper understanding of each other's perspectives, feelings, and needs.
Improved Communication Skills
Communication forms the cornerstone of a successful relationship. Through marriage therapy, you and your partner can learn to express your values, desires, and hopes without blaming or attacking, strengthening your connection.
Types of Couples Therapy
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
EFT helps couples improve their attachment and emotional connection. It goes beyond simply addressing behaviors and instead focuses on identifying and expressing the underlying emotions and needs that contribute to conflict and disconnection.
Gottman Method
The Gottman method helps improve understanding and intimacy between you and your partner. It teaches couples healthy ways to express positive and negative emotions, avoiding destructive communication patterns such as criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling.
Imago Relationship Therapy
Imago therapy explores the subconscious reasons why we choose certain partners without realizing it, helping you understand your relationship better. It helps turn conflicts into chances to grow and heal, creating more mindful and purposeful connections in our relationships.
Behavioral Therapy
Behavioral therapy focuses on transforming behaviors that impact relationships. Therapists collaborate with couples to promote positive behaviors through praise and rewards while addressing negative ones. This approach ultimately leads to a positive shift in the relationship dynamics.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps couples identify negative thoughts or behavior patterns that affect their relationships. It replaces these patterns with healthier alternatives. It guides in developing improved coping mechanisms to manage stress and strong emotions effectively.
Psychodynamic Couples Therapy
Psychodynamic therapy helps you understand how unconscious thoughts and past experiences affect your relationship. It offers deeper insights into patterns, conflicts, and emotions, enhancing a better understanding of yourself and your partner.
Reignite the Spark in Your Relationship with Couples Therapy LA!
Don’t wait another day to begin the journey towards a stronger, more fulfilling relationship.
Book your initial consultation with our certified Los Angeles couples therapy specialists. Let us guide you through the challenges and help you build a loving, resilient partnership.
How Long do Most Couples do Therapy?
Couples therapy offers short-term and long-term options tailored to the couple’s specific needs. Short-term treatment typically spans 12 weeks or less, while long-term therapy extends beyond a year. The following factors generally determine the duration of couples therapy:
- Severity of issues
- Willingness to change
- Therapeutic approach
- Desired outcome and relationship goals
Couples Therapy Techniques
1. Getting Acquainted
During this initial phase of couples therapy, the therapist creates a safe and secure space for you and your partner to know each other better. It involves gathering general information like your background, concerns, and therapy goals. This step is essential for building trust and laying the foundation for open communication.
2. Emotion Recognition
Couple therapists help you and your partner express emotions using words for better understanding. They assist in identifying both positive and negative feelings and understanding their underlying reasons.
3. Exploring the Past
Couples therapy involves jointly exploring your past to understand fears, motivations, and behaviors that shape your relationship. It helps uncover patterns and unresolved issues affecting your current relationship.
4. Finding Solutions
Couple therapists help couples find common ground to resolve issues, change negative behavior patterns, and focus on the positive aspects of their relationship. Together, they develop collaborative problem-solving skills, working on solutions that meet both partners’ needs.
5. Learning New Skills
In therapy, couples acquire practical tools and techniques to overcome relationship challenges. You and your partner can make positive changes in your relationship by learning and applying skills such as conflict resolution, communication, anger management, and problem-solving.
How do I Find a Good Couples Therapist?
Choosing the right therapist can transform your relationship. Look for someone approachable, competent, and capable of creating a safe space for you and your partner to explore your challenges and work towards a healthier relationship.
What Kind of Therapist Is Best for Couples
Every couple is unique; finding the perfect therapist is about what feels right for you. Consider what you need, prefer, and what works for your budget and insurance. Nonetheless, therapists like Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs), Clinical Psychologists, Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs), or Psychiatrists often have the expertise to address relationship issues effectively.
Meet Your Couples Therapist at Reflections LA
Sasha Melendez-Goldman, AMFT
Sasha is dedicated to creating a safe space where couples can openly communicate and explore their feelings.
By integrating Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Sex-Positive Therapy, and feminist approaches, she guides couples in couples toward uncovering and resolving core issues, enhancing their connection and intimacy. Take the first step towards a stronger relationship with Sasha as your guide.
Get Professional Help with Couples Therapy in Los Angeles at Reflections LA
We offer a sanctuary for couples to heal and grow together. Our Couples Therapy Los Angeles counseling session aims to dissolve barriers and fortify your union. Start your journey toward deeper understanding and renewed affection today. Together, we can build a stronger, more loving relationship.
Expert Care
Experienced couple therapists specializing in couple therapy.
Compassionate Support
A caring and non-judgmental environment for your unique journey.
Client-Centered Approach
Your needs guide our personalized couples therapy.
Ready to start a journey towards a happier, more connected relationship with your partner?
Couples Therapy Los Angeles FAQs:
How much does couples therapy cost in Los Angeles?
The cost of couples therapy in Los Angeles varies based on factors such as the therapist's experience, whether the session is in-person or virtual, and the number of sessions purchased. On average, you can expect to pay between $120 to $250 per session for in-person therapy, and $90 to $230 per session for virtual sessions. It's important to note that the exact price can differ based on the specific circumstances and needs of each couple.
For more personalized pricing, you can contact us directly.
What is the Gottman method? Is EFT better than Gottman?
The Gottman Method, created by Drs. John and Julie Gottman, is a structured approach to couples therapy focusing on improving communication, enhancing intimacy, and fostering understanding and empathy within the relationship. It involves an initial assessment phase followed by interventions that target three primary areas: friendship, conflict management, and creating shared meaning, based on the "Sound Relationship House Theory".
This method emphasizes practical skills to manage relationships and deeper insights into relationship dynamics, tailored to the couple's specific challenges and goals.
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), developed by Dr. Susan Johnson, aims to address emotional distress and strengthen attachment bonds between partners by focusing on emotions and attachment needs. While the Gottman Method is more behaviorally oriented, EFT delves into emotional bonding and attachment issues.
The choice between the Gottman Method and EFT depends on the couple's particular needs, issues, and preferences. The Gottman Method offers a structured, research-based approach focusing on behavior and communication, while EFT centers on emotional connections and attachment. A trained therapist can help determine which method is more suitable for a specific couple's situation.
Can couples attend sessions together?
Absolutely! Couples therapy is for both of you. It's a positive way to address relationship challenges by openly expressing feelings and perspectives in a supportive setting.
What should I do if my partner refuses to go to couples counseling?
If your partner hesitates, approach the conversation with empathy. Express your desire to strengthen the relationship, listen to their concerns, and highlight the benefits of counseling for both of you.
Does couples therapy mean the relationship is over?
Not at all. Couples therapy signifies a commitment to improving and strengthening the relationship. Many seek therapy as a proactive step to address challenges and deepen their connection.
What is the most effective form of couples therapy?
The effectiveness of couples therapy depends on various factors, including the specific needs of the couple and the therapeutic approach used. Some couples succeed with approaches like Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Gottman Method, or Imago Relationship Therapy. Ultimately, it's all about finding the right fit for your relationship goals.
What happens in the first session of couples therapy?
In your first session of couples therapy, you can expect an environment aimed at understanding both of you as individuals and as a couple. The session usually involves discussing the history of your relationship, understanding the challenges you're facing, and setting goals for therapy. The therapist may ask about how you started as a couple, other significant relationships in your lives, and what you hope to achieve through therapy. This session is also a chance for all involved to see if the therapist is a good fit for you.
The first session is also about establishing a good working relationship with your therapist. You will discuss the process of therapy, including the structure of future sessions. The therapist might split the session into individual parts to understand each partner's perspective but generally will work with you as a couple to focus on the relationship.
How long should you go to couples therapy?
The duration of couples therapy can vary significantly based on various factors including the severity of the issues, the couple's commitment and motivation, and their willingness to practice skills outside of sessions. Some couples may see improvements within a few months, while others may need years of therapy.
The success of couples therapy is largely dependent on the individuals involved, their commitment to growth, and the effort they put into the process. Therapy might end when couples have worked through specific issues, improved their communication, and achieved their relationship goals. However, maintaining changes and new habits may take time.
Typically, couples should start to see progress in a positive direction after about 8-10 sessions. Marriage counseling sessions usually last about 45 to 60 minutes, though some therapists may recommend longer sessions, especially in the beginning.
The frequency of sessions can start weekly and then taper off to every other week or monthly as improvements are made.
Remember, the key to the length of therapy is not just time but the active participation and engagement of both partners. Couples who are proactive, work on their issues outside of therapy, and remain engaged with the process tend to move through therapy more quickly and effectively.
How early is too early to start couples therapy?
There's no such thing as too early to start couples therapy. If you're experiencing recurring conflicts, undergoing major life changes, struggling with communication, or just want to strengthen your relationship, it might be beneficial to seek therapy. Early intervention can prevent minor issues from becoming more significant problems.
What other services does Reflections LA offer besides Couples Therapy ?
Our services extend beyond couples therapy in Los Angeles to encompass a holistic healing journey. We support new beginnings with postpartum therapy, provide solace through grief counseling, embrace diverse perspectives with culturally sensitive therapy, and offer targeted anxiety, trauma, and depression therapy. Our space fosters family unity with dedicated family therapy in Los Angeles, strengthens couple bonds through marriage therapy, and promotes individual resilience through cognitive behavioral strategies. Additionally, recognizing our client's diverse needs and schedules, we provide the convenience of choosing between in-person and virtual therapy sessions.