Couples Therapy
Couples therapy is a type of therapy designed specifically for couples seeking psychological help. This therapy aims to help a couple understand their relationship, solve their problems, and strengthen their relationship. The main purpose of couple therapy is to guide couples to cope with the difficulties specific to couple relationships, such as communication problems, conflicts, infidelity, sexual problems, etc. During therapy, couples work together to better understand their emotional experiences and relationships. This method helps couples understand each other better and establish healthier communication (Gottman, 1999). The therapy process may vary depending on the couple's needs and problems. The therapist might conduct individual and couple sessions with couples and may use different therapy techniques. These techniques may include methods such as systemic therapy, emotionally focused therapy, and solution-focused therapy (Gurman & Kniskern, 2014). Couples therapy can help couples communicate in a healthier way, solve their problems, and strengthen their relationships. Research shows that couples therapy is an effective method for improving couples' relationships (Doss et al., 2017). Additionally, it has been found that this therapy can improve individuals' emotional well-being and reduce psychological symptoms (Whisman, 2019). In conclusion, couples therapy is an effective type of therapy that helps couples experiencing relationship problems. Under the guidance of an expert therapist, couples can build healthier and more satisfying relationships using this therapy.
What is Family Therapy?
Family therapy is a type of therapy that examines and intervenes in relationships between family members in order to resolve or manage psychological problems and emotional difficulties. As defined by the American Psychological Association (APA), family therapy is used to understand family dynamics and communication patterns, which helps family members collaborate and solve problems in a healthier way (APA, 2021).
The basic idea of family therapy is that an individual's psychological and emotional problems can often be influenced by family dynamics, communication deficits, or conflicts. Therapy brings family members together and tries to understand how they interact with each other and how they perceive their problems. The therapist helps family members express their emotional experiences and approach their problems in a healthier way (Nichols & Schwartz, 2018).
Family therapy may use a variety of approaches, some of which include family systems therapy, structured family therapy, and emotionally focused therapy. Each approach may include a variety of techniques suitable for different case scenarios. For example, family systems therapy addresses issues by examining imbalances and roles among family members, while emotionally focused therapy focuses on greater emotional depth (Nichols & Schwartz, 2018).
Research shows that family therapy is effective in treating many psychological problems. Family therapy can be used on issues such as child and adolescent behavioral problems, addiction, depression, anxiety and family conflict (Lebow et al., 2015). Additionally, this therapy may increase the family's overall functioning by improving communication between family members (Pinsof & Catherall, 1986).
In conclusion, family therapy is an effective type of therapy for addressing and resolving family problems. According to the APA, this therapy can help with understanding and improving family dynamics so family members can live together in a healthier way. Under the guidance of an expert therapist, family therapy can open the doors to a happier, healthier and more functional life for family members.