Skype Therapy Focused for Couples

Relationship dynamics may have changed dramatically over generations, but the challenges that couples face have mostly stayed the same. Arguments about money, household responsibilities, married life, and sex can make relationships feel like a constant struggle. To add to these age-old issues, we now have new challenges specific to modern life: it’s harder to achieve work/life balance, technology is too present in our lives, and, more recently, both partners have to work together from home. 

Most adults in the UK acknowledge that every relationship could use a bit of help. However, only 22% of British couples would agree to seek professional therapy if they went through a rough patch in their relationship. This stigma surrounding couples therapy needs to be challenged – modern tools can help restore balance in your relationship and solve conflicts in a calm, respectful and constructive way. Therapy can help you understand yourself and your loved ones, identify the obstacles that are holding you back, and move forward by nurturing trust. 

How can couples therapy improve your relationship? 

Although the challenges couples face may be the same, the way you experience them will differ depending on factors such as your personality, the social context, and the events going on in your life. 

Sitting down with a therapist and opening up about your intimate thoughts may seem awkward at first, but it’s exactly the fact that you are talking to an impartial professional makes communication easier. The therapist is not there to pass judgment or to force you to make changes you are uncomfortable with. A couples counsellor will just provide a safe space where you can discuss your concerns and address vulnerable issues. 

Some of the benefits of couples therapy include: 

• It can help you understand how you feel about the relationship. 
• It can help you overcome small conflicts and misunderstandings before they become major roadblocks.
• It can help you boost intimacy and develop a deep emotional connection with your loved one. 
• It can help you overcome a major challenge or move on from a turning point in your relationship (having a baby, moving home, losing a loved one, etc.). 
• It can help you develop self-awareness and grow as a person.
• It can help you solve conflicts in a calm, respectful and healthy manner. Therapy teaches you how to openly communicate your feelings and expectations without shouting and being aggressive towards your partner.

Even though the focus falls on the couple, and how you interact with your loved one, you can benefit from therapy as an individual too. You will learn what you appreciate most in a partner, what you are looking for in a relationship, and how to open yourself up emotionally. 

Couples therapy is not just an investment for the good health of your relationship but also for your personal wellbeing. People who are in high-quality relationships are more likely to feel happy, self-confident, optimistic and supported. 

And remember, the goal of counselling isn’t to have you rely on professional help constantly, but to develop the mindset to do this yourself. 

How to know if you need couples therapy

One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding couples therapy is that you should only go when your relationship is in a critical moment, such as divorce, or the loss of a child. Therapy can help in those moments, but not only. You should seek therapy whenever you feel that your relationship could be better or you feel “stuck”: 

• You haven’t communicated too well lately and feel that your connection to your loved one is weakened 
• The two of you have different plans for the relationship (for example, one partner wants to get married or have children, while the other one isn’t ready to commit). 
• You’ve been arguing a lot 
• You feel you have “lost your spark.” 
• You’re having problems with sex and intimacy 
• You have gone through a major life event that has taken a toll on your relationship 

Why have couples counselling sessions over Skype? 

Couples Skype therapy has existed for a while now, but its popularity grew during the lockdown, when therapist offices had to be closed for health & safety reasons. But what started out as a temporary alternative ended up as a popular service, as many couples discovered that this option is more convenient for their lifestyle. 

• Skype therapy sessions are more convenient. You don’t have to synchronise your schedules and waste hours driving to and from the therapist’s office. All you need is one hour of privacy and a device connected to the Internet. For couples who have a busy lifestyle and parenting responsibilities, online therapy sessions are more practical because they don’t have to hire a babysitter for the evening. 
• You have access to a wider pool of therapists. Because you’re no longer limited by geographical barriers, you can schedule an appointment with any therapist you like. You’ll no longer be restricted to the only therapist in your area and it will be easier to find someone who you “click” with. 
• Skype couples therapy can be more comfortable for some people. Some couples feel uncomfortable going to a therapist’s office and have trouble opening up. But when you talk to the therapist over Skype, from the comfort of your home, the interaction will be seamless and you’ll get used to the format of the sessions faster. 

Frequently asked questions about couples Skype therapy.

What do I need for Skype therapy sessions?

For Skype therapy sessions, you only need a device connected to the Internet and a Skype account. We recommend couples to choose a time that works for both partners and when they don’t have pressing matters to attend to.

How many sessions will we need?

The number of recommended sessions is different for every couple, depending on the issues you want to address and your personal needs.

How long does a session take?

The average session is 50 minutes long, but, if needed, you may ask your therapist about longer sessions. 

Will the therapist give us “homework”?

Your therapist may ask you to keep a journal or do some services as a couple to apply what you’ve learned during therapy.