Should we be in individual or couples therapy?

• Sometimes individual issues can be worked on more quickly in individual counseling. If those issues are a major factor in the couple’s relationship, it may help to at least begin with couples counseling in order to hear from the couple as a unit as to their current “state of the union.” There are instances where the couples counselor will refer one or both of the individual members of the couple to individual counseling in order to get to the heart of issues quickly, then return to couples sessions to fine tune things like communication, solvable vs. perpetual problems, and knowing each other on a new level. When I see couples, I utilize a thorough online Q&A analysis through the Gottman Method for couples. This gives the therapist and the couple a comprehensive understanding of the many facets of the couple’s life as well as where strength and growth areas exist.