At Theravada Mental Health in Las Vegas, we offer couples therapy to those who are struggling to communicate or feeling disconnected in their relationship. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take you through everything you need to know about enhancing communication skills and addressing mental health needs. So, buckle up and get ready to embark on a journey that could transform your relationship for the better!
Our Las Vegas, NV Based Therapists who work with Couples and Relationships
We have several clinicians at Theravada Mental Health in Las Vegas who provide couples counseling, marriage counseling, and family counseling. These clinicians help couples in healing relationships coaching and guiding clients to use necessary skills to enhance their relationships and help find what each couple can benefit from by increasing hope and healing while decreasing stress and anxiety.
Many of our Las Vegas, NV therapists are currently accepting new clients and many offer a free consultation. We also provide treatment to Henderson and North Las Vegas communities as well as rural communities throughout the State of Nevada via teletherapy. To find the right therapist for you and your partner and secure a session, getting you one step closer to alleviating the matter at hand and working toward happiness and a more well balanced life, check out our therapists in Las Vegas, Nevada who offer couples counseling and marriage counseling.
Marriage and Couples Counseling Approaches
Therapists or relationship counselors utilize a range of strategies for couples counseling, hence the importance of finding one that resonates with your needs and preferences. Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and the Gottman Method are two popular therapy approaches that our therapists specialize in. EFT emphasizes exploring and resolving emotional needs and healing relationships within couples, while the Gottman Method focuses on helping couples recognize and resolve fundamental issues in their relationship and hone their communication and problem solving skills.
Research has shown that EFT is effective for approximately 75 percent of couples, with benefits lasting for at least two years after treatment itself. By understanding the therapy approach used by a potential therapist, you can determine if their expertise is suitable for addressing your specific relationship concerns and goals. Remember, a tailored approach that considers the unique dynamics of your relationship is key to achieving lasting benefits from couples counseling.
Reflective listening is a specific type of couples counseling that can be beneficial for partners who want to work on their communication skills. By being in a healthy, safe environment where each person takes a turn being an active listener, giving the other partner an opportunity to speak freely, communication can be greatly enhanced. Read our guide on communication exercises for couples to learn more. When we rephrase our statements using “I” phrases instead of “you” statements, a more productive conversation can be had.
For example, rather than saying “you hurt my feelings when you’re late,” you could express your feelings more productively by saying something more along the lines of “I feel hurt when you are late.”
Enhancing communication skills through couples counseling
Communication stands as a pivotal element in any thriving relationship. Many couples struggle with communication skills, leading to a breakdown in trust and intimacy. The good news is that couples counseling can significantly improve communication through techniques like active listening, expressing feelings and needs, and resolving conflicts constructively. By working with a skilled marriage and family counseling therapist, you and your partner can learn to communicate more effectively, fostering a deeper understanding and connection.
Relationship counselors, also known as couples counselors, assist partners in:
- Uncovering the sources of their challenges.
- Facilitating open and honest communication.
- Cultivating empathy for one another’s viewpoints.
- Progressing in a cooperative and respectful manner.
They may also recommend exercises and tools to practice at home, helping you and your partner build healthier and more loving ways of relating to one another. With improved communication skills, you’ll be better equipped to navigate and deal with the complexities of life together and build a stronger, more resilient relationship.
Active Listening Techniques:
Active listening is a powerful tool that can help couples and families understand each other better and foster empathy. This can be accomplished by practicing active listening techniques, such as:
- Facing the speaker.
- Making eye contact.
- Attending to non verbal cues.
- Refraining from interruptions.
- Withholding judgment.
- Summarizing the speaker’s message.
Facing the speaker and maintaining eye contact signals attentiveness and engagement, while paying attention to non verbal cues which provides insight into the speaker’s emotions and intentions. Avoiding interruptions and withholding judgment creates a safe space for the speaker to express their thoughts and feelings without fear of criticism or judgment. By mastering these active listening techniques, couples can improve their communication skills and foster a stronger emotional connection.
Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) is an effective couples counseling technique. EFT can help identify destructive patterns in a relationship that begin to interfere with attachments, ultimately preventing two people from bonding. By focusing on those patterns and behaviors that create a disconnect in the relationship, two people can begin healing and bonding in a more positive manner.
Narrative therapy is a very specific therapy technique that involves both partners describing their relationship problems in narrative form. They’re then encouraged to rewrite their stories. The goal of narrative therapy is to help couples see that one single story on its own can’t truly encompass an entire experience together.
Narrative therapy is typically helpful when both people feel they’re to blame for the demise of a relationship. It can be a great form of therapy when each partner has the mindset that they’re a failure, and thus, they deserve a failing relationship.
Solution-focused Therapy works best for couples who have a specific issue they want to work on in their relationship. The approach is helpful when working towards short-term relationship goals. It helps couples create a solution to relationship issues they’re having instead of sitting in the same place and dwelling on the same problems.
The Gottman method can help couples create a deeper understanding of each other even during times of conflict in their relationship. The method aims to give couples specific problem-solving skills that enhance intimacy and friendship between partners. While traditionally it utilizes live workshops and homework in the form of take-home training materials, many therapists have trained to use adapted techniques of the Gottman method with couples in a private setting during therapy sessions.
The Gottman method entails honing in on destructive behaviors such as “the four horseman”:
- Criticism
- Contempt
- Defensiveness
- Stonewalling
Areas of focus include:
- Sharing relationship histories
- Exploring areas of disagreement
- Identifying various triggers
- Discovering shared values
- Gaining specific tools to help manage conflict
Imago Relationship Therapy (IRT) helps couples identify childhood experiences that have created an impact on adult relationships. For example, imago therapy can help you uncover the reason for commitment issues or relationship anxiety. Through an extensive exploration of childhood trauma, couples can become more understanding and empathetic towards one another.
Discernment counseling
Discernment counseling was developed around 2008 based on cases of conflicted couples in which one partner wants to save the relationship and the other is leaning towards ending it.
This short-term approach is meant to bring clarity for both partners when ambivalence is preventing them from fully engaging in and reaping the benefits of couples therapy, says Angele Close PhD, a clinical psychologist and emotion-focused therapist based in Skokie, Illinois.
One of the primary goals of discernment counseling, according to Brown, is to help the couple discover all of their options to consider before they make the ultimate decision about the fate of their relationship.
Expressing feelings and needs
Openly expressing feelings and needs is vital for improving emotional intimacy and reducing misunderstandings in a relationship. By using active listening techniques, such as reiterating what the other person has expressed and asking for further clarification, couples can effectively communicate their feelings and needs to one another. Additionally, using “I” statements to express emotions and needs in a non-aggressive manner can help prevent defensiveness and promote understanding.
Couples should approach each other’s feelings and needs with empathy and understanding, being open to compromise and seeking mutually beneficial solutions. By effectively addressing conflicts and expressing emotions and needs, couples can build trust and create a stronger emotional bond, ultimately leading to a healthier and more satisfying relationship.
Resolving conflicts constructively
Every relationship experiences conflicts, but the way couples navigate disagreements can make all the difference in the health and longevity of the partnership. Conflict resolution skills are crucial for maintaining a strong relationship, and couples counseling can help teach couples how to approach disagreements in a healthy and constructive manner.
By identifying the root cause of the conflict, actively listening to each other’s perspectives, and employing problem solving techniques like brainstorming and negotiation, couples can address conflicts effectively and work towards mutually beneficial solutions. Developing constructive conflict resolution skills not only helps to resolve immediate issues but also strengthens the relationship by fostering trust and respect between partners.
Addressing mental health issues in couples therapy
Mental health needs can significantly impact the well being of individuals and the quality of their relationships. Relationship counseling can play a crucial role in addressing mental health needs by identifying and understanding the issues, developing coping strategies, and supporting each other through challenging times. Collaborating with a proficient family therapist enables couples to:
- Discern the indications of mental health needs.
- Establish efficient coping strategies.
- Offer each other support.
- Encourage healing and development.
Couples therapy can be especially beneficial for couples dealing with mental health needs like anxiety, depression, pain, or trauma, as it offers a safe and supportive environment for both partners to explore their emotions and work together towards a healthier, happier relationship. By addressing mental health needs in couples therapy, you and your partner can gain valuable insights, advice and tools to improve your well-being and strengthen your bond.
Identifying and understanding mental health needs
Identifying mental health needs in a relationship is the first step towards addressing them and working together to find solutions. Mental health needs can manifest in various ways, from difficulty communicating and resolving conflicts to feelings of disconnection and emotional distance. Recognizing these signs can help couples take the necessary steps to address the issues and seek professional help. Working with a qualified family therapist or counselor can help couples in the following ways:
- Gain a better understanding of the mental health needs they may be facing.
- Identify the underlying factors contributing to their challenges.
- Develop effective strategies for managing their emotional well-being.
- Create a stronger and more resilient relationship.
Developing coping strategies
Developing effective coping strategies is essential for individuals and couples dealing with mental health needs. By learning how to manage stress and challenging emotions, couples can improve their individual well-being and enhance their relationship satisfaction. Family therapy can help couples explore various coping strategies, such as problem solving, relaxation techniques, and mindfulness practices.
Incorporating these strategies into daily life can have lasting benefits for both partners, helping to reduce stress, improve mood, and increase resilience in the face of life’s stressors. By developing effective coping strategies, couples can better support each other and work together to navigate the complexities of life and their specific issues.
Supporting each other
Supporting each other through mental health challenges is crucial for strengthening the bond between partners and fostering a healthy and resilient relationship. As couples navigate the complexities of their issues, it’s essential to provide emotional support, encouragement, and understanding to one another. By standing by each other through difficult times, couples can cultivate a deeper sense of trust and connection.
Couples can demonstrate their support by being there for each other emotionally, offering a listening ear, and providing encouragement and patience. By working through relationship problems together and supporting each other through mental health needs, couples can grow stronger as individuals and as a partnership, ultimately creating a more fulfilling and satisfying relationship.
Premarital counseling: preparing for a strong marriage
As you and your partner gear up for the voyage of marriage, this type of counseling emerges as a priceless tool to help fortify the foundation for your shared future. By setting realistic expectations, strengthening relationship skills, and planning for the future, this type of counseling can help couples build a solid foundation for a happy and lasting marriage.
Working with a skilled marriage and family therapist in Las Vegas, couples can gain valuable insights and tools to help them navigate the issues and joys of married life. Whether you’re just starting your life together or have been together for the past several years, this type of counseling that you would engage in prior to marriage counseling can provide the support and guidance needed to create a strong and resilient marriage.
Strong relationship skills are crucial for a successful marriage, and premarital counseling can help couples develop and refine these essential abilities. By enhancing communication, trust, and intimacy, couples can create a stronger emotional connection and better navigate the complexities of married life.
A skilled family therapist can help couples develop effective communication strategies, such as active listening and expressing emotions and needs, as well as trust-building techniques like honesty and transparency. By strengthening relationship skills, couples can build a solid foundation for a happy and fulfilling marriage that can withstand the test of time.
Setting realistic expectations
Setting realistic expectations for your marriage is essential for navigating the challenges and joys of married life. Realistic expectations involve:
- Dedication.
- Communication.
- Respect.
- Honesty.
- Trust.
- Affection.
- Empathy.
- The ability to address conflicts and disappointments.
By understanding and embracing these expectations, couples can create a strong foundation for their marriage and work together to overcome any obstacles that may arise.
Premarital counseling can help couples:
- Identify and discuss their expectations for marriage.
- Better understand each other’s needs and desires.
- Establish realistic expectations.
- Foster a strong and healthy relationship built on mutual understanding, trust, and respect.
Planning for the future
Planning for the future is an essential aspect of preparing for a strong marriage. By aligning their goals and values, couples can work together to create a successful partnership built on mutual understanding and support. Premarital counseling can help couples discuss and plan for important aspects of their future, such as financial planning, career aspirations, and family planning.
Effective goal setting, knowledge acquisition, and comparing alternatives are all essential components of planning for the future. By working together to establish shared goals and values, couples can create a strong foundation for their marriage.
Benefits of Couples Counseling in Las Vegas
Builds skills: At the end of therapy with the counselor, the couple will emerge with new skills for how to better communicate with each other, how to have a better partnership mindset, and how to resolve disagreements.
Gives answers: Couples therapy can explain why partners are in conflict with one another and why each person is acting in ways that might be causing conflict with their partner.
Increases satisfaction: Couples who participate in couples therapy report higher happiness and relationship satisfaction levels. Couples therapy can improve the mental health of individual partners, as well.
Saves time: Couples tend to argue repeatedly about the same topics in different contexts. Couples therapy equips couples with tools to communicate and resolve conflicts quickly and peacefully before they escalate into more significant issues.
Strengthens relationships: Couples tend to come out of couple’s therapy with a strengthened bond, greater empathy and understanding for their partners, improved interactions, and a better outlook on their relationship.
Summary
In conclusion, finding a therapists in Las Vegas can be a challenging yet transformative experience that helps couples navigate the complexities of their relationship, improve communication skills, address peace of mind, and prepare for a strong marriage.
By choosing to talk to one of our therapists, couples can work together to overcome their challenges and build a more fulfilling and resilient partnership. Remember, the key to a successful relationship, including with a family member, is open communication, mutual understanding, and a willingness to grow together.
Participating in individual sessions while engaged in couples counseling is often recommended for a variety of reasons including when a partner may suffer from depression or major life stressors that impair their functioning or diminish their desire to commit to the partnership. Meeting with a counselor to talk about a past issue or matter involving issues surrounding the raising of your children, how to deal with one another’s families, managing one or many life stressors, or communicating more effectively can be the step toward having a fulfilling life and partnership.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of a therapist is best for couples or marriage counseling?
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) are well-suited for couples, as they are educated and trained to understand behavior through social and relational contexts. LMFTs are uniquely qualified to help couples identify and address issues in their relationship, such as communication, trust, and intimacy. They can also provide guidance on how to navigate difficult conversations and how to resolve conflicts. LCPCs and LCSWs are also trained in working with couples, but they usually choose to specialize in this type of counseling as their education is often more broad than an LMFT.
What is the success rate of couples or marriage counseling?
Couples counseling has proven to be a successful form of therapy, with a success rate of around 70%, compared to the 50% seen in the 1980s.
How long are sessions?
Sessions are usually around 50 minutes. People with scheduling difficulties or who travel long distances can schedule longer sessions, if available.
What is the goal of couples counseling?
The goal of the therapy is to lessen fights, conflict, and discord. I work with you to build a relationship that feels safe, secure, and loving.
How do I know if I need marriage or couples counseling?
Sometimes relationships are in a crisis. Other times it can help if you are fighting frequently over small things, or if you are having communication problems. Any time that your relationship doesn’t feel nurturing, supportive or satisfying is a great time to seek counseling.
Will the therapist take sides or blame me?
It is important that couples therapists don’t take sides. You and your partner should each feel safe and supported working with a counselor.
I want to come to therapy, but my partner would never agree. Does my spouse or partner need to be there?
In an ideal world, in order for couples therapy to work, both people should attend every session. Nevertheless, individual therapy can be very helpful in building and strengthening relationships, and couples counseling often begins with a partner’s individual sessions.