If you have been researching couples therapy, you have probably seen two names come up more than any others: the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). These are the two most widely recognized, research-backed approaches to working with couples. And the question most people ask is: which one is better? Talk to FigletFigs’ AI […]
Gottman vs. EFT: Comparing Two Leading Approaches to Couples Therapy Read More »
The communication exercises for couples that actually work calm both nervous systems first and fix the wording second. The ones I use most are naming your cycle together, the softened startup, a daily 10-minute check-in, a repair signal, mirroring the feeling instead of the facts, and a timed turn-taking talk. Every one of them is
Communication Exercises for Couples (That Actually Work) Read More »
In premarital counseling, you and your partner meet with a couples counselor for about 4 to 12 sessions, usually weekly or every other week, over roughly two to three months. The first session is an assessment of your story, your families and how you fight, the middle sessions work through your conflict pattern and the
What Really Happens in Pre-Marital Counseling Read More »
Online couples therapy vs in person is one of the first decisions couples face when seeking help. Understanding online couples therapy vs in person options helps you choose the format that gives your relationship the best chance of real progress. You have decided to try couples therapy. That is the hard part. Now comes the
Online vs. In-Person Couples Therapy: Which Is Right for You? Read More »
You want a number. I understand that. You are sitting with a relationship that is hurting, and you want to know how long this is going to take. Is this a few weeks? A few months? A year? How long does couples therapy take to work, honestly? It is one of the most common questions
How Long Does Couples Therapy Take? What the Research Shows Read More »
In your first couples therapy session, the therapist is assessing, not fixing. You fill out intake and consent forms, hear how confidentiality works, and each of you gets to tell your side: what brought you in, how the relationship began, and what you want to be different. A good therapist watches how the two of
What to Expect in Your First Couples Therapy Session Read More »
You have probably used the terms interchangeably. Most people do. “We need couples therapy” and “we need marriage counseling” feel like the same sentence. But if you are trying to find the right help for your relationship, understanding couples therapy vs marriage counseling actually matters. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (AAMFT-credentialed) in
Couples Therapy vs. Marriage Counseling: What’s the Difference? Read More »
You have been fighting about the same thing for months. Maybe years. Something is off, and you both know it. You have probably searched “how much does couples therapy cost” not because you are cheap, but because you are trying to figure out if this is even possible for you right now. I get it.
How Much Does Couples Therapy Cost? A Transparent Guide Read More »
It’s late. You can’t sleep. You’re lying next to someone who feels like a stranger, or maybe you’re alone because one of you left the room after another fight that went nowhere. And you’re asking yourself the question that brought you here: is my relationship worth saving? I’m not going to give you a checklist.
How to Know If Your Relationship Is Worth Saving Read More »
By Figs O’Sullivan, LMFT In a typical first couples therapy session, I spend about 45 minutes doing something that looks like conversation but is actually assessment. I’m mapping the cycle. I’m identifying each partner’s attachment strategy. I’m listening for the Protector Parts, the shame responses, the triggers that neither person can see because they’re too
