What Is Couples Therapy?

Couples therapy is a form of counseling that helps two partners improve their relationship. A trained therapist guides conversations so both people can better understand each other, communicate more effectively, and work through conflicts in a healthier way.
It isn’t just for couples “in crisis”—many partners use therapy as a way to strengthen their bond, learn new skills, and maintain a healthy relationship.

Signs a Couple Might Benefit From Therapy

Couples therapy can help if you and your partner are experiencing:

Communication Problems

  • Frequent misunderstandings

  • Feeling unheard or dismissed

  • Conversations that quickly escalate into arguments

Recurring Conflicts

  • The same fights happening over and over

  • Issues that never get resolved

  • A growing sense of frustration or emotional distance

Changes in Connection

  • Feeling disconnected, lonely, or “like roommates”

  • Reduced emotional or physical intimacy

  • A sense that you’re drifting apart

Trust, Safety, or Boundaries Concerns

  • Infidelity or other breaches of trust

  • Difficulty rebuilding closeness after a hurtful event

  • Differences in expectations around privacy or boundaries

Life Transitions

  • Adjusting to parenting, a move, career changes, illness, or loss

  • Navigating blended families

Desire for Growth

  • Wanting to strengthen communication skills

  • Preparing for long-term commitment or marriage

  • Clarifying shared goals and values

You don’t need to be on the brink of separation to benefit—many couples go to therapy when things are “okay” but could be better.

Common Therapy Modalities Used in Couples Work

Couples therapists pull from several evidence-based models. Some of the most widely used include:

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

Focuses on attachment needs, emotional communication, and strengthening the bond between partners.

The Gottman Method

Based on decades of relationship research; teaches communication tools, conflict-management skills, and ways to build trust and intimacy.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Couples

Helps partners recognize unhelpful patterns in thoughts/behaviors and replace them with healthier ones.

Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy (IBCT)

Combines behavior change with emotional acceptance; helps partners understand each other’s internal experiences and work as a team.

Narrative Therapy

Encourages couples to externalize problems, understand personal stories, and rewrite unhelpful narratives affecting their relationship.

Psychodynamic or Insight-Oriented Approaches

Explore how past experiences and unconscious patterns influence current relationship dynamics.

Areas of Concern Couples Therapy Can Address

Couples therapy can support partners in many areas, including:

  • Communication and conflict resolution

  • Emotional intimacy and connection

  • Sexual concerns or mismatched desires

  • Rebuilding trust after betrayal

  • Parenting and co-parenting challenges

  • Managing stress and life transitions

  • Financial disagreements

  • Cultural or religious differences

  • Setting healthy boundaries

  • Navigating decision-making as a team