Couples Therapy and Marriage Counseling

The stress is too much. Your relationship is paying the price for everything you and your partner are dealing with. Personally, professionally, in partnership, in parenthood…it’s too heavy a load to bear. What are you supposed to do next? Can anything help your relationship at this point? Maybe it even feels like you made a terrible mistake by getting married in the first place.

We know marriage takes work. That’s why premarital counseling, date nights, “romantic getaways,” and couples therapy are so popular. With that being said, you probably didn’t think YOU were the one who was going to be Googling “Do I need marriage counseling?” or “Is my marriage worth saving?” Maybe you’ve wondered “Does couples therapy work?” Of course, this isn’t where you wanted to be. This wasn’t what you imagined at the beginning of your relationship. But, here you are.

Marriage Counseling Can Help

The good news is that couples therapy, also called marriage counseling, works. At our Chicago-based counseling center, we have helped countless couples like you. It’s not just about communicating more effectively. In fact, it’s also about giving each other space to truly share what is going on. How often do you really take the time to listen to your partner? Especially with the stresses of life and parenting.

Moreover, being a great partner is often what takes the backseat when something goes wrong. When this is true for one or both of you, things are bound to feel “broken.” We stop giving our partners the benefit of the doubt. We even start to hold resentment toward them. Sometimes, without truly knowing why. This is where a skilled couples therapist comes in.

Issues Addressed in Couples Therapy and Marriage Counseling

Our therapists specialize in working with parents and couples in regards to perinatal mental health. So, we offer marriage counseling with particular expertise in challenges during the perinatal period and throughout parenthood. Our couples therapists frequently work with partners to address:

• Additional support during the fertility journey
• Preparing for third-party reproduction
• Preconception couples counseling
• Depression and anxiety during pregnancy and/or postpartum
• Grief due to pregnancy loss, miscarriage, and stillbirth
• Birth trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Relationship issues when transitioning and adjusting to parenthood

Our Approach to Couples Therapy and Marriage Counseling in Chicago, IL

Both Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and the Gottman Method have shown to be effective in therapeutically supporting couples. Both methods strive to increase a sense of security, intimacy, and connection in your partnership.

Gottman Method for Marriage Counseling

Utilizing the Gottman Method, we will work to decrease harmful communication. We’ll work on increasing intimacy, respect, and affection. Then, we will focus on removing barriers that create stagnancy in conflicting situations. Further, we will work to create a heightened sense of empathy and understanding between partners. The method’s goals are increasing closeness and friendship behaviors, addressing conflict productively, and building a life of shared meaning together.

EFT for Marriage Counseling

Many couples find EFT to be a beneficial approach as it allows them to better understand each other’s emotional responses. Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is a short-term form of couples therapy. EFT works to improve attachment and bonding in adult relationships. This approach to couples therapy is based on research about love as an attachment bond.

Furthermore, this treatment can help couples form a more secure emotional bond. A secure bond often results in a stronger relationship and improved communication. The primary goal of the EFT model is to expand and re-organize the emotional responses of the couple.

Couples Therapy at Flourish

Couples therapy can help with a wide variety of struggles in your partnership. You are going through some big changes and coping with it all together. We provide many services for parents at our Chicago counseling center. So, our marriage counselors have experience working with couples in times of transition, stress, and hardship. They have the skills and experience to help with the struggles you or a partner may be experiencing.

Begin Couples Therapy and Marriage Counseling in Chicago, IL

Marriage counseling can help you feel connected in your relationship again. With a bit of help, your relationship can be exactly what you’d always hoped for. Give couples therapy a try, and we hope to help your relationship flourish again. To get started, follow these steps.

1. Contact us using the appointment request form.
2. Get matched with one of our caring couples therapists.
3. Reconnect with your partner and build your family’s foundation.

Other Services at Flourish Counseling and Wellness

Our therapists‘ focus is to provide individuals and couples high-quality mental health services. And, all with a focus on perinatal mental health. So, we offer infertility counseling, pregnancy and prenatal counseling, and postpartum support. Additionally, we provide third-party reproduction counseling, women’s counseling, and support groups. You can access all of these services in person at our Chicago, IL practice or online.