Like a car, romantic relationships require regular maintenance to ensure everything is running smoothly and operating at an optimal level. To effectively circumvent complications down the road, it’s best to address problems that arise early on.

Marriage therapy, also known as couples counselling or marriage counselling, refers to a type of psychotherapy couples seek to resolve conflict, facilitate better communication and improve their relationships. From intimacy issues to raising children to the prospect of a divorce – there’s a myriad of reasons why couples partake in marriage counselling. 

If you’re asking yourself, Where can I find marriage therapy near me? Here are a few tips for finding a therapist that’s a good fit for you and your partner. 

Do They Specialize in Marriage Counselling?

So you’ve made the decision to seek professional help. We applaud you. A crucial piece of partnering with an effective couple’s counsellor lies in finding a professional you feel naturally comfortable with.

It’s pivotal to look for a local licensed therapist who specializes in addressing relationship issues. Without the proper training or experience in treating marital-related issues, you run the risk of potentially inflicting added, unwanted damage to your relationship. 

According to the HuffPost, “Some signs that your therapist is qualified are that he/she has a degree in marriage/couple/family therapy, or is a mental health professional with special training/certifications in marital counselling, such as Gottman-based therapy, a PREP, Inc. certification, a PAIRS certification, or training in Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT).”

When conducting research, invest some time in reading through a therapist’s online reviews. Or, if you’re unsure of what type of credentials someone holds, simply ask them directly about their experience, background and training. 

Marriage Therapy Near Me: Interviewing Candidates

If you’ve found two or three therapists that appear to be a good fit, the next step is to schedule a session or phone call to interview each contender. The goal is to uncover which couple’s counsellor can adequately accommodate both you and your partner’s needs. During your conversation, you’ll have the opportunity to assess if the therapist is empathetic, compassionate and operates as an unbiased, objective third party. 

To help drive a successful conversation, here are some questions you can ask the marriage counsellor:

• Do you have formal experience in couple’s therapy? What type of educational background or training as a mental health professional do you have?

• What can I expect if we work together? This question should prompt a deeper discussion – covering elements like session length, how sessions are structured, the assessment process, what type of treatment they offer and more. 

• How often do you work with couples? What percentage of them experienced an improvement in their relationship as a result of therapy?

• If you’re seeking someone who has expertise handling a specific issue, such as infidelity, you can ask the therapist about his or her experience and viewpoint regarding the topic.

Every married couple can benefit from marital therapy. There’s always an opportunity for couples to forge deeper bonds and improve communication. If you’re facing some more complex issues, working with a licensed therapist is an effective way to find common ground, mend problems and even repair or save your marriage.

To learn more about how the experts at My Winnipeg Therapist can help you and your partner with couples/marriage counselling, Contact us today.