At Breakfree Psychology Services we are experts in couples counseling, using the GottmanMethod. This is a well-researched approach developed through years of practice and research conducted by the Gottman Institute, into what makes a relationship work and what are the masters of relationships doing differently to the disasters of relationships.
The benefit of this approach is that you’re not hearing your therapists opinion on what she thinks is important in a relationship, or what works for her and her partner. This is important as we are all unique and therefore what works for your therapist may not work for you and your partner. When adhering to what the research says, your therapist is helping you understand what works in most relationships, so that you have a broader perspective of the do’s and don’t when it comes to intimate relationships and how to fix problems.
Marathon couples counselling is a powerful and intense form of couple’s counselling that is condensed into a weekend, or 2 weekdays, and involves you working consistently over this period of time to resolve deep-seated relationship issues. The format of marathon couples counselling varies depending on the specific needs of your relationship. It will start with an assessment of the relationship history and your own individual backgrounds, followed by a discussion on the results of your relationship check up assessment. This is vital in helping you develop insight into the strengths and weaknesses of your relationship and to also help you understand how these areas compare to the areas that have been found to be important in ensuring a happy or satisfying relationship.
This approach often requires you and your partner to sit with uncomfortable emotions (anger, sadness, regret), while we delve into the past hurts experienced together and work to process these emotions and find a way forward. At times your therapist will also explore your individual histories and experiences growing up to help understand current relationship problems, or assist your partner in understanding you better. It’s not uncommon for this to initially feel uncomfortable as past hurt feelings are bought to the surface again.
At this stage there is no research that has determined whether or not marathon couples counselling is more effective than the standard Gottman method. So the success of the therapy will come down to your therapist, the method used, and very importantly the willingness of you and your partner to engage wholeheartedly in therapy. You will need to be completely honest; able to take responsibility for your part to play in conflict and issues, and actively put in place the strategies you have learnt in your marathon once outside of the therapy room.
By the end of your marathon you will have a large number of tools to counteract the problems identified in your relationship assessment and throughout your marathon couples counselingsession. These tools are the keys to creating new more helpful habits around communicating, problem solving or emotional regulation.
Choosing the marathon approach comes down to a personal preference to complete therapy inthe shortest period of time, an inability or unwillingness to have sessions every week, or a desire to deal with big issues quickly.
From a therapist’s perspective there are benefits to a marathon such as having your therapist only focused on your relationship for 12-14 hours with no distractions.
To book a marathon couples counseling session with us contact the practice mobile on 0479 149 277.