Leslie Hansen
MA, LPCC-S
Introduction to Marriage Counseling
Marriage counseling – some view it as the beginning of the end; others see it as an opportunity to strengthen their relationship. Our hope is that people enter counseling when they are ready to work on a solution to a problem; whether that involves a plateau in the relationship or recovery from a deep wound.
When values and beliefs begin to impact the marriage covenant, identifying commonalities in light of differences can be a significant challenge and may require new perspectives or thought processes.
What to expect and Benefits of Marriage Counseling
Marriage counseling can help a couple come together to make thoughtful decisions and consider new perspectives.
Counseling helps by identifying healthy and unhealthy patterns of behavior, improving communication skills, and making a dedicated, ongoing effort to improve one’s self for the good of the relationship.
Improved communication
- Learn how to effectively communicate with your partner and resolve conflicts.
- Improve listening skills and still feel heard to understand each other’s needs, feelings, and perspectives.
- If negative communication has become the standard, we can help you with strategies to diffuse this behavior and better communicate by making requests and complaints without criticizing. Negative behavior includes
- Negative verbal communication – such as name calling or criticizing
- Negative non-verbal communication – such as abandonment or neglect.
Deeper understanding
- Gain a deeper understanding of each other’s needs and feelings
- Improve your empathy and compassion for each other.
Enhanced intimacy
- When couples are trying to survive versus thrive, the marriage can turn into two adults coexisting; Without intimacy, it often doesn’t work out. We can help strengthen the emotional and physical connection between partners.
- Learn new ways to build intimacy and strengthen bonds.
Resolve conflicts
- Address and resolve conflicts in a healthy and productive way.
- Take responsibility for behaviors and make amends
- Learn effective conflict resolution techniques that can be applied to future disagreements.
- Apply forgiveness skills while having effective boundaries.
- Recovery from an affair, emotional or physical infidelity is challenging. A professional marriage counselor can help to develop a healthier relationship through the restoration phase.
Our Approach to Marriage Counseling
At Directions Counseling and Coaching, our approach to marriage counseling in Columbus Ohio is tailored to meet the specific needs and goals of each couple.
We use a combination of individual and couples therapy to help partners to work through issues. Our therapists use evidence-based techniques and therapies, including Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), Gottman Method of Couples Therapy, and Solution-focused therapy to help couples build a stronger and more fulfilling relationship.
Our Team of Marriage Counselors
Our team of marriage counselors is comprised of experienced, licensed therapists who are passionate about helping couples build stronger relationships.
Our therapists have received specialized training in couples therapy and have a deep understanding of the unique challenges that couples face. See the right sidebar menu and learn more about our marriage specialists.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
Don’t let your relationship struggles continue to hold you back. Take the first step towards a stronger and more fulfilling relationship with couples counseling in Columbus, Ohio. Contact us today to schedule your appointment and start your journey toward a happier and healthier relationship.
Marriage Therapists
Kevin Heckathorn
MDiv, MA, LPCC-S
Tyler Leonhart
MSW, LSW, LICDC
Philip Mendola
BA, CT
Nori Shoji-Schaffner
PhD, LPC
Cherish Tusing
BA, CT
Angela Vinokur
MA, LPCC
Kristina Wilson
MA, LPC
Twyla Stanifer
MA, LPC, ACC
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When should I get marriage counseling?
Most people tend to think marriage counseling is just for people whose marriages aren’t doing well. That is untrue. Marriage counseling can help both good and rocky relationships.
If you and your spouse are having more frequent fights and miscommunications, it may be a good time to get an unbiased third-party involved to help you both see the situation through a different lens and develop a strategy for how to move forward together.
How many sessions will I need?
The number of sessions needed will vary depending on the specific needs and goals of the couple. We have found that the longer people wait to seek help, the more damage can be done in the relationship.
There’s not an average number of sessions, but it’s a good idea to consider the number of years that you’ve been struggling instead of how long it may take to repair an issue. After 8-10 sessions the clinician will review goals to make certain you are on the right track. It takes time to be receptive to new thoughts, actions, and make behavioral changes. This is not a sprint, it’s a marathon.
Is marriage counseling covered by insurance?
Couples counseling is rarely covered by insurance. You should contact your insurance company to learn more. Here is a link to commonly asked questions about insurance. In addition, our administrative team is here to help with any questions you might have.
Is marriage counseling confidential?
Your privacy is of utmost importance to us. Counseling is confidential and abides by the Department of Health and Human Services HIPAA Privacy Rules.
If a client would like us to share any information with anyone, for any reason, we require a signed release of information document signed by both parties in the case of couples counseling.
The only time we are permitted to share information without a client’s permission is in the case of danger to the client, cases of emergency, or any situations that are criminal in nature, as counselors are deemed mandated reporters of such instances.
Can marriage counseling help save my marriage?
While there are no guarantees, marriage counseling can be a highly effective way to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and enhance intimacy in your relationship.
By working with a skilled couples therapist, couples can learn new strategies, understand each other’s perspectives, and build a stronger bond. However, the success of couples counseling depends on a variety of factors, including the commitment and participation of both partners both in therapy and at home.
Are there times when one person in the relationship would come to a session without their partner?
It is not uncommon for only one person in the relationship to attend a session. This is not meant for secret-keeping. It allows the clinician to fully understand the depth of concerns that someone may have without creating more conflict in the relationship following a session.
While it is ideal for both partners to be fully committed to the process, attending an individual session can be a valuable experience for both the therapist and the client.
At times one or both members of the couples session may be encouraged to consider individual counseling for deeper work that would add value to the couple’s counseling sessions. This is rarely the couple’s therapist you work with, as the couples therapist sees the relationship as the client.
By working with a therapist for individual counseling, clients can gain a better understanding of their own needs and feelings, and learn how to improve the relationship with your partner.
Can marriage counseling help with issues other than relationship problems?
Yes, marriage counseling can help with various issues including communication problems, intimacy issues, conflicts, and even individual concerns, such as stress from work, depression, or anxiety.