Ever wondered what a first marriage counseling session might sound like? Let’s listen in as Mandy begins with Tom and Jordan:
Welcome! I’m so glad you two are here. My name is Mandy and I’m a marriage therapist trained in the Gottman method. I’m excited to get to know you both and help you work through whatever issues you may be facing.
So, let’s jump right in. You both know why you’re here, and I’m sure you’re feeling a little bit apprehensive. That’s totally normal. The good news? Marriage counseling can be a powerful and positive experience. It’s an opportunity to understand each other better, to tackle issues head-on, and to come out the other side stronger than ever.
As a marriage therapist, my goal is to help you both create a safe and supportive space in which to explore your relationship. We’ll work together to identify areas of conflict, explore different communication strategies, and develop a plan for a better future.
Now, I know this may seem daunting, and I’m sure you have many questions. Let me start by answering a few of the most common ones.
First, what happens during a counseling session? Well, each session will be unique, based on your individual needs. We may talk about past issues, current concerns, and strategies for the future. We may use different activities to help you better understand each other’s perspectives. We may discuss communication strategies, problem solving skills, and healthy coping mechanisms.
Second, how long does marriage counseling take? The length of counseling varies from couple to couple. It really depends on the issues you’re facing and how willing you are to work together. Some couples find that a few sessions are enough to make a difference, while others may need more time.
Third, what can I expect to get out of counseling? That’s a great question! You can expect to gain a deeper understanding of yourself, your spouse, and the dynamics of your relationship. You’ll learn effective communication skills and problem-solving strategies. You’ll gain insight into your own behaviors and beliefs, and how they affect your marriage. And most importantly, you’ll learn how to work together as a team to create a stronger, healthier marriage.
Now that you have a better understanding of what to expect from marriage counseling, let’s take a few minutes to discuss your goals for counseling. What do you hope to gain from this experience? What do you want to work on?
I understand that this is a lot of information to take in, so if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask. I’m here to help. We’ll explore these topics in more depth as we move through the counseling process.
Marriage counseling is a journey, and it’s up to you two to determine how far you want to go. You don’t have to run a marathon in one session. You can take it one step at a time, and I’ll be here to guide you every step of the way.
So, here’s to the start of something wonderful. I can’t wait to get to know you both better and work together to create a stronger, healthier marriage.