Marriage can be one of the most rewarding relationships but it can also be a challenging one. Marital concerns can range from small disagreements to larger problems such as infidelity or addiction. While some couples may be able to work through marital difficulties on their own, others may need the help of a therapist to get back on track. However, many couples wonder how long therapy will take to resolve their issues. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at the stages of marital therapy and how long it may take to see progress.
Stage 1: Assessment and Evaluation
The first stage of marital therapy is assessment and evaluation. In this stage, the therapist will get to know the couple, their relationship, and their concerns. The therapist may ask questions to gather information about the history of the relationship, communication style, individual coping mechanisms, and familial dynamics. This stage lays the foundation for the therapeutic process and helps the therapist assess the strengths and weaknesses of the couple’s relationship. The length of this stage often depends on the complexity of a couple’s relationship and the severity of their concerns, but it may typically take a few sessions.
Stage 2: Setting Goals and Treatment Planning
After gathering information about the couple in the assessment and evaluation stage, the therapist will help the couple set goals for their therapy, which will guide the treatment plan. The couple and the therapist will work together to identify specific areas where they want to see changes and decide on treatment strategies that will help them achieve their goals. This stage may take a few sessions, especially if there are many issues to discuss.
Stage 3: Treatment
In the treatment stage, the couple and the therapist will work towards achieving the goals that were laid out in the previous stage. The therapist may use different techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and emotion-focused therapy to address the couple’s concerns. During this stage, couples may also work on improving communication skills, developing strategies for conflict resolution, and enhancing intimacy. The length of this stage can vary depending on the couple’s issues, and it may take several sessions.
Stage 4: Termination and Relapse Prevention
The final stage of marital therapy is termination and relapse prevention. This stage involves reviewing the progress the couple has made throughout the therapy. The therapist will evaluate if the goals set in the previous stage have been reached. The couple and the therapist will also discuss the strategies that they have been working on and talk about how to maintain positive changes. The length of this stage depends on the progress made during the therapy, but it may take a few sessions.
In conclusion, the length of marital concerns largely depends on the complexity of the couple’s issues and their willingness to work towards resolving them. While therapy may take several sessions, it is important to remember that couples may start seeing progress after only a few sessions. The therapeutic process is unique to each couple, and it is essential to remain committed and patient throughout the journey. With the support of a professional therapist, couples can overcome marital concerns and rebuild stronger relationships.
If you have any questions or would like to explore further, please book a free, no-charge online appointment with either myself, Josh Zettel, BA (Hons), MA, RP (Qualifying) CCC, or another Kitchener therapist at CARESPACE. We are happy to listen and are here to help!
