First, it is important to realize that couples’ therapy, marriage counseling and marital therapy are all the same. These different names have been used to describe the same process, with the difference often based on which psychotherapy theory is favored by the therapist using the term, or whether an insurance company requires a specific name for reimbursement.

Couples therapy is often seen as different from one individual psychotherapy because the relationship is the focus of attention, instead of one individual. Couples therapy focuses on the difficulties existing in the relationship between two people. In couples’ therapy, the therapist will help you and your partner identify the conflict issues within your relationship, and will help you decide what changes are needed in the relationship and in the behavior of each partner, for both of you to feel satisfied with the relationship.