Couples & Partnership Therapy: Nurturing Your Relationship at Every Stage

Embracing Therapy for Diverse Needs

Couples and non-monogamous partners seek therapy for many reasons. Some start while they’re in a strong phase with the goal of building resilience for future challenges, others seek support while working their way through a rut. Some come to therapy in hopes of healing from indiscretions, while some are looking to get on the same page before taking a big step.

In every scenario, our relationship and couple therapy sessions at Marsh Psychotherapy are designed to create an understanding, empathetic environment where partners can openly express their thoughts and feelings, working together towards a healthier, more fulfilling relationship.

Why Should I Consider Couples & Relationship Therapy?

Below is an introduction to a list of common reasons why people seek couples and relationship therapy:

  • Communication Issues – Many partners struggle with expressing their thoughts and feelings leading to frequent misunderstandings or conflicts.
  • Infidelity and Trust Issues – Dealing with betrayal, infidelity, or a breach of trust can be challenging. Therapy helps couples and partners rebuild trust and heal from these wounds.

  • Emotional Disconnect – Sometimes partners want to know each other better or feel disconnected emotionally. Therapy can help them reconnect and rekindle their emotional bond.

  • Intimacy and Sexual Issues – Couples may experience a lull or even absence of physical intimacy or sexual desire. They may question their sexual compatibility. Therapy provides a safe space to address these sensitive topics.

  • Life Transitions – Getting married, having children, or dealing with illness, can strain a relationship. Therapy can help partners navigate these transitions as a unified team.

  • Conflict Resolution – Chronic arguing, inability to resolve conflicts, or recurring disagreements can create tension. Therapy can teach couples effective conflict resolution strategies.

Black couple having online couples therapy in New York
Heart with hands over New York City skyline

  • Parenting and Family Issues – Parenting styles, sorting through a blend of family cultures, or dealing with extended family pressures can impact a relationship. Couples therapy can help address these challenges.

  • Financial Stress – Differences in financial management or experiences with financial insecurity can become a significant source of tension in relationships. Therapy can help partners better understand and build empathy for each partner’s specific reaction to financial stress and learn strategies to accommodate differences.

  • Pre-marital Counseling – Some couples seek therapy before marriage to prepare for the commitment, work through fears and doubts, and address any potential issues.

  • Separation and Divorce – Couples and partners considering separation or divorce may seek therapy to explore their options, clarify and express their emotions, or find a way to part with dignity and integrity.

  • Non-monogamy – Some relationships fall into nontraditional configurations outside the dyad. Partners may seek therapy to better establish boundaries, clarify the nature of their relationships, decide how they want their partners to treat each other, and rules around communication. Such partners may also seek assistance with communicating their relationship preferences with family and friends who may not understand or support these choices.

The above reasons represent just a few of the many issues couples and partners may face. Each couple’s situation is unique, and therapy can provide tailored support to meet each of their specific needs and goals.

Fostering Deeper Understanding with IPT

At Marsh Psychotherapy, our approach to couples therapy is deeply influenced by the principles of Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT).

This approach helps couples not just in resolving surface-level issues but in understanding the deeper emotional patterns and dynamics at play in their relationship through practices like:

  • Exploring Underlying Dynamics: IPT encourages couples and partners to explore how their individual histories and personalities influence their relationship. This exploration leads to a deeper understanding of recurring conflicts and emotional responses.

  • Using the Therapeutic Relationship as a Mirror: In our sessions, we utilize the relationship between the couple and the therapist as a learning tool. This dynamic serves as a real-time model for healthy communication and conflict resolution, providing insights into how each partner’s behavior impacts the other.

  • Emotional Attunement and Empathy Building: Through IPT, partners learn to attune to each other’s emotional needs and develop greater empathy. This fosters a deeper emotional connection and a more harmonious relationship.

  • Cultivating Intimacy with Active Listening and Inquiry: Our approach teaches couples to actively listen and ask clarifying questions, ensuring a complete understanding. This practice not only makes partners feel truly heard but also fosters a deep, empathetic connection between them.

Couples Therapy

Benefits of Couples Counseling

Embarking on couples and relationship therapy is a courageous step towards enhancing your connection, and at Marsh Psychotherapy, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Lesbian couple seeking LGBTQ+ Affirming care

Couples therapy can help you and your partner:

  • strengthen your bond
  • resolve conflicts more easily
  • navigate a challenging phase or life transition
  • learn effective conflict resolution
  • better understand each other

Additionally, should you choose to end your relationship, couples therapy can help you do that with kindness and grace. Our doors are open for you.

What People Are Saying

“I left every session experiencing personal growth and  positive change.”

Together, We Can Achieve More 

Join us at Marsh Psychotherapy, where we combine professional expertise with a nurturing environment. Here, profound emotional growth and meaningful change are not just goals; they are realities we achieve. Take the first step towards a life of balance, self-awareness, and emotional resilience.