Marriage counseling is a proven platform for resolving relationship conflicts. If you have considered starting marriage therapy, you may be curious how the process works. In this guide, we will explore how marriage counseling works step-by-step, so you know what to expect along the way.
Before the First Appointment
The first step in the journey is calling the therapist office to schedule an appointment. The call and all appointments are completely confidential. When you contact Urban Balance at (888) 726-7170, we will ask you a few questions to determine which marriage counselor is right for you. We will also ask for insurance information so we can verify insurance ahead of time. We work with many insurance providers.
You can schedule an appointment at a time that fits your schedule and your spouse’s schedule. Our office has weekend and evening appointments, as well as traditional office hours. Once we find an appointment time that works for you, we will ask you to arrive a few minutes early for the first appointment. You will need to fill out some paperwork before your first session, but this only needs to be completed one time.
During the First Appointment
The first marriage counseling appointment is mostly an ice-breaker. It gives you a chance to get to know your therapist, and it gives your therapist an overview of your relationship. You can discuss your goals with marriage counseling and why you pursued couples therapy in the first place. This creates a foundation that you will build on with future sessions.
Other Marriage Counseling Appointments
As you progress through marriage counseling, your therapist will help you find the root cause of your marital issues. He or she will also recommend communication strategies and conflict resolution techniques suited for your personalities. The process is personalized for your needs as a couple, and the advice is backed by evidence and experience.
In between Appointments
In between your therapy sessions, your therapist may have ‘homework’ for you to do. No, you do not have to write a well-researched essay. Instead, the homework tasks may involve going out for a date night or trying a new conflict resolution method. If issues arise in between sessions, write them down to discuss with your therapist. Then you can determine what caused the issue, how it could have been resolved/prevent it, and how you can prevent similar events in the future.
What to Expect from Marriage Counseling
Not sure what to expect from this whole process? Continue to the second part of this guide where we explain What to Expect from Marriage Counseling.