Relationship HelpCouples Counseling Associates in downtown ChicagoHow Do You Find a Good Couples Counselor?
Unfortunately, many therapists who work with couples have not had any training related to working with distressed couples. Take your time. Ask questions about how couples counseling works for relationship help. If you have never talked to a couples counselor before, you may be not be sure about how to proceed. This page contains information about what happens during the first sessions and what questions you need to ask.
What Happens in a Couples Counseling Session?During the first session or two, the counselor will be interested in gathering information about the relationship, find some way to evaluate your situation, and work with you to develop a plan get the relationship help you need.A good couples counselor will also exhibit some control over the session, evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the relationship, explain what makes a successful relationship, and suggest a plan of action. Whether or not a couples counselor bills insurance is NOT necessarily a reflection of their level of expertise. This is also an important time for YOU to be evaluating your couples counselorTrust your gut. Though it may be difficult to know after the very first session if the counseling process will be helpful, you should be able to get a sense of the skill of the couples therapist after just a few sessions.Ask yourself the following questions 1) Do the sessions have some kind of structure? 2) Does it seem to you that the therapist has control over what is going on in the session? 3) Does the counselor make recommendations for changes or give you some ideas for things you can do differently? 4) Is the couples counselor on the side of the relationship (as opposed to on your side or your partner's side)? The answers to these and other questions will give you some clues as to whether or not you are in the hands of a good counselor very early on in the process. Questions You Can Ask When You Call The First TimeMany counselors have a general practice and work with couples on the side. That means that they do not specialize in working with couples, and may have limited experience and/or training in couples counseling and relationship help.No matter how you pick your couples counselor, make sure he/she has training and experience in helping distressed couples. These are some of the questions you can ask over the phone or in person: How much of their practice is devoted to couples? What experience and training does she/he have in working with couples in distress? Why does she/he like to work with couples? What does she/he do during the first session? Like any other professionals, some are better than others. The answers to these questions will give you some clues as to whether or not this counselor knows something about helping couples. Our office is located in downtown Chicago312 416 6191 / infocouples@gmail.comReturn from Getting Started to Home Page of Couples Counseling Now
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