What couples therapy involves
Couples therapy (also called marriage counseling or couples counseling) brings two partners into the therapy room together to work on their relationship. It's not about deciding who's right and wrong — it's about understanding each partner's perspective, improving communication, and building the skills and connection that sustaining relationships require.
The most well-researched couples therapy approaches include Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), developed by Dr. Sue Johnson, and the Gottman Method, based on decades of research on relationship patterns. Both have strong evidence for improving relationship satisfaction and reducing distress.
What couples therapy addresses
- Communication breakdown and conflict patterns
- Emotional distance or disconnection
- Infidelity and rebuilding trust
- Life transitions — new children, job changes, aging parents
- Intimacy challenges
- Disagreements about parenting, finances, or values
- Preparing for marriage or cohabitation
What family therapy involves
Family therapy brings multiple family members into sessions to address dynamics that affect the whole system. It's particularly effective for: a child or teenager's behavioral or mental health issues (the whole family is part of the solution), family conflict, divorce and blended family adjustment, grief and loss, and substance use (where the family system often needs to change alongside the individual in recovery).
Finding the right therapist
Look for therapists with specific training in couples or family therapy approaches — EFT, Gottman Method, Structural Family Therapy, or others. Ask: "What approach do you use with couples/families?" A therapist without a specific model may be less effective than one with structured, evidence-based training. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) have specialty training in relational work.