Traits That Define an Ideal Couples Therapist

As a mental health professional, a couples therapist deals with conflicts affecting partners of a relationship. You don’t have to be legally married before you can avail of the services of a couples therapist. Whether you are only into your first month in a romance with your beau or you have already celebrated your 50th anniversary as a married couple, a couples therapist can help you fix a failing relationship. The services offered are not also limited to heterosexual relationships but also bisexual romantic affairs.

When both parties accede to couples therapy, it is already a good sign for a relationship.Seeing a couples therapist should not be the last-ditch to save a relationship. It may be too late, so you should make an appointment with your couples therapist as some issues start to show up.

Some of the most common issues raised in couples therapy sessions are infidelity, money, parenting, gambling, sex, health, in-laws, substance abuse, and emotional behavior. Somehow, your present conflict is connected with one or two of these, right? You ought to see a couples therapist if you want to give your relationship another try.

Choosing a couples therapist is not easy, though. You have to research who has the following qualities to assure you that you are getting the best services.

Good Communication Skills

This is a must when looking for the best counselor to help you. He should not only know how to give you the best advice, but first of all, he should know how to listen to what you are saying. A couples therapist should hear both parties air their side of the story and not allow interruptions from one party while the other is talking.

Perceptiveness

This is the ability to understand the inner qualities of persons. While listening to both parties, a couples therapist should be astute enough to understand the issue by putting himself on both parties’ perspectives. By being empathetic, a counselor can better understand the conflict and, thus, gives the right solution to the problem.

Customized Approach

Each relationship is different from another. There may be similarities of conflicts, but there can never be the same solutions. The ideal couples therapist does not treat two conflicts using the same approach because one is distinct from another. After identifying issues, resolutions can be laid on the table, and both parties can point out each’s pros and cons. After this, an agreement can now be made.

Trustworthiness

An ideal couples therapist should always work hard to build an environment of trust. He will never succeed in getting all the information he needs if he is not seen as trustworthy. He should show his leadership in the situation and reaffirm his expertise in solving the problem.