10 Types of Therapy for Relationship Issues
Are you and your partner looking for couples therapy or relationship counseling? Therapy benefits couples for various reasons. It improves each partner’s communication and conflict resolution skills, restores trust and intimacy, and strengthens the relationship bond and shared support during difficult times. It even helps premarital couples prepare for marriage with stronger foundations.
Depending on your and your partner’s unique relationship and concerns, some types of couple therapy treatments suit specific dynamics better than others. Below, we elaborate on what knowledge they are based on, how each therapy works, and other information to help you decide which approach is best for your relationship.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- What Science It’s Based On
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) believes that faulty reasoning, problematic core beliefs, or learned patterns of unhelpful behavior cause psychological problems. Still, people can learn better coping strategies to improve their relationships.
- How It Works
A therapist or counselor will help you examine your thoughts and emotions more closely to understand how they affect your actions. By being aware of your negative thoughts and behaviors, you and your partner can learn more positive dynamics.
- Other Information
CBT is an evidence-based treatment. This type of psychotherapy is the most researched form of psychotherapy or talk therapy, dominating international guidelines for psychosocial treatments. Most counselors and therapists specialize in CBT.
The Developmental Model for Growth in Relationships
- What Science It’s Based On:
The Developmental Model is rooted in the theory that different growth or development stages of partners cause conflict. The conflict can be based on each partner’s attachment style and current developmental stage, the state of their relationship, and its duration.
- How It Works:
In this model, the counselor or therapist helps partners recognize their current stages of development. As each partner becomes self-aware of their potential areas of growth, the therapist helps them move through their developmental stage. Partners are encouraged to learn individually and as a couple to develop a stronger and more mature emotional connection.
- Other Information: The Developmental Model is a new approach with little to no research on its effectiveness.
Discernment Counseling for Couples at a Crossroads
- What Science It’s Based On:
Discernment counseling was developed in 2008 from a research project by William J. Doherty to help couples decide on divorce.
- How It Works
This type of counseling is for couples who want to examine their choices before making a permanent decision. At the end of counseling, a couple can decide to hold off on the decision for the present time, pursue a divorce, or commit to six months of couples therapy before deciding again.
A counselor can help couples feel more confident about their decisions and provide tools for moving forward with or without their partner. Whatever decision the couple may have at the end of counseling, the counselor helps them find professionals to carry out their decision.
- Other Information
Discernment counseling is ideal for couples who are uncertain about the future of their relationship. However, it is not suitable if one partner is coerced to participate, has an Order of Protection from the court, is in danger of domestic violence, or has already made up their mind about getting a divorce.
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for Connection and Attachment
- What Science It’s Based On
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is based on attachment theory, which states that the best chance for positive change in a dysfunctional relationship is the security we feel with our partner’s connection. It approaches healing from the belief that emotions influence our preferences and decision-making daily.
- How It Works
EFT helps you gain awareness of and understand your emotions and how it plays out in your negative cycle. Not from a therapist’s objective view of your relationship, but by guiding you to create corrective experiences in the relationship. Your therapist helps you explore and accept your feelings without judgment, regulate them to avoid being overwhelmed, and understand the “why” behind your emotions.
From there, this type of therapy helps you strategize changing unhelpful emotions and developing healthy coping strategies for a more secure attachment and communication.
- Other Information
While a meta-analysis proves that 70% of couples are symptom-free at the end of treatment, EFT may not address underlying issues such as past relationships that affect the relationship.
The Gottman Method for Strengthening Foundations
- What Science It’s Based On
Based on psychologist John Gottman’s 12-year relationship research, he and his wife, psychologist Julie Schwartz Gottman, created the Gottman Method. The method is based on couple dynamics and learning relationship-building and problem-solving skills together.
- How It Works
This form of couples therapy focuses on the nine aspects of a healthy relationship:
1.) How well each partner knows the other
2.) Focus on the level of respect and tenderness between the couple
3.) Responsiveness to the other partner’s emotional needs
4.) Approaching problems with a positive attitude
5.) Managing conflicts or resolving them
6.) Encourage the other partner to discuss their hopes, dreams, and values
7.) Understanding shared meanings about the relationship
8.) Trust that the other partner have the best interest for them in mind
9.) Commitment through thick and thin
- Other Information
The Gottman method is suited for long-term couples invested in improving their relationship.
Imago Relationship Therapy (IRT) for Understanding Childhood Impact
- What Science It’s Based On
Image Relationship Therapy (IRT) was developed in the 1980s by psychotherapist Harville Hendrix and his spouse, Helen LaKelly Hunt. It is based on the theory that childhood feelings are bound to resurface in your relationships as an adult.
- How It Works
Based on the Latin word for image, founders describe Imago as the unconscious image of a person the individual believes can make them whole again. By understanding how feelings from negative childhood experiences can carry over into your adult life and form your particular Imago, IRT-trained therapists can help you and your partner understand each others’ reactions.
By understanding each other, childhood-wise, both partners can develop communication skills and empathy to improve themselves and their relationships.
- Other Information
This is not the best therapy option for partners experiencing domestic abuse or having substance abuse. Few scientific studies have been done to measure the long-term success of IRT.
Narrative Therapy for Rewriting Your Relationship Story
- What Science It’s Based On
Developed by Michael White and David Epston in the 1980s, Narrative Theory is based on the idea that people must view themselves separately from their mistakes rather than as bad people. Through a balanced narrative, a person can process and clarify their experience.
- How It Works
Since narrative therapy aims to stop a couple from identifying themselves as their problems, the therapist allows the couple to lead the conversation on what they wish to talk about.
After a couple of sessions, the therapist will ask the couples to tell more positive stories to discover their inherent traits and skills that can be used to address said problems. From these traits, the therapist collaborates with the partners with productive strategies to approach life positively.
- Other Information
This therapy is suited for couples who blame themselves for the problems they’re experiencing.
Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy (PACT) for Deep Understanding
- What Science It’s Based On
Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy (PACT) is based on neuroscience research and attachment theory to improve the relationship between couples.
- How It Works
By noticing each partner’s reactions in conflict (on family, health, work, etc.), a therapist trained in PACT can inform you what’s happening in your brain and your emotions. It cuts out confusing talking and arguing. Instead, each reaction (body language, voice shifts, and facial expressions) has a ton of emotions to be unpacked, begging to be listened to.
- Other Information
PACT stresses the importance of the “couple bubble.” The bubble is made of their mutual agreements, shared vision of the relationship, and how to navigate life together to keep it secure. This approach is best for polyamory or open relationships.
Reflective Listening for Better Communication
- What Science It’s Based On
Reflective Listening is the cornerstone of Rogerian non-directive counseling. By reflecting and clarifying what a partner says, Reflective Listening focuses on overt behavior over intention.
- How It Works
Partners take turns being active listeners and speakers in a supportive, judgment-free space. The therapist acts as a guide, helping each partner express themselves freely while the other listens and reflects back what they’ve heard.
- Other Information
This therapy benefits partners who want to improve their communication skills.
Solution-Focused Therapy for Targeted Resolution
- What Science It’s Based On
Solution-focused therapy (SFT) is a therapeutic approach focused on providing coping skills and building on the couple’s strengths to achieve future and present goals regarding their relationship problems.
- How It Works
The therapist trained in SFT first generates a detailed outcome of how a couple’s life will be different once their issue is managed or resolved to their satisfaction. The therapist then explores the couple’s experiences of successfully coping with or addressing previous relationship issues. These experiences are resources for the couples to co-construct readily applicable and sustainable solutions.
- Other Information
SFT helps couples break out of patterns and focus on solutions that reflect their hopes and satisfaction. Studies are available on effectiveness, including how it decreases marital issues and marital burnout in women.
What Types of Therapy Do We Use for Relationship Issues?
At Spokane Counseling Hub, we provide couples counseling and therapy for the people in South Hill and other regions of Spokane, Washington. Our team of licensed and unlicensed therapists and counselors integrate two or more therapeutic approaches to provide holistic care to our clients. We specialize in EFT, CBT, Narrative Exposure Therapy, and EMDR to address trauma that affects relationships.
Start Your Journey to Healthier Relationships with Spokane Counseling Hub
Every relationship is unique, as are the therapy approaches that can help couples overcome challenges. Our professional counselors specialize in various proven methods to address root concerns and provide comprehensive care. At Spokane Counseling Hub, we combine evidence-based treatments with compassionate support to guide couples toward healthier, more fulfilling connections. From the North Side to South Hill, we’re here for you. Book an appointment today and take the first step toward transforming your relationship.