For Couples: Common Questions and Concerns with Couples Counselling

Couples counselling can be some of the most vulnerable and rewarding work a person can do. Here are some answers to common concerns about the process:
“I am worried my therapist will only take my partner’s side…”
In couples counselling, therapists take the side of the relationship, not person A or B. Your therapist will not passively watch your arguments in session and declare a winner. Instead, they will help both partners share their feelings clearly and safely, creating healthier patterns you can build on outside of sessions. If at any point you feel like your couples counsellor is not hearing or understanding you, please let them know!
“What if my partner will not come with me?”
No one can be forced to change—as much as we might want them to. This is a painful situation that many couples find themselves in. Sometimes, asking your partner to try a specific number of sessions can be a helpful compromise. However, what is often most helpful in these circumstances is for the willing partner to seek out individual counselling.
“What if my partner is lying during couples counselling?”
While the factual truth of a situation matters, the story we tell ourselves about it afterwards is often what impacts the relationship the most. Both partners will always have opportunities to share their perspective on a challenge. However, the deeper work of couples counselling is learning how to name the emotions underneath the facts and creating a safe place to share them.
Couples counselling is designed for both partners to feel heard, supported, challenged, and understood. Please reach out to see if it could be a good fit for you!