By Shirley Shropshire, MS, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate
Training, Training, Training!
Did I mention training? You and your partner have finally made the decision to seek marriage/couple counseling. Then you decide to do some research and find a counselor, easy enough. Suddenly, you have no idea how one counselor or therapist is more or less qualified to do couple therapy than the next.
An important factor to evaluate when selecting a couple therapist is advanced training. Why? For one, couple relationships are unique. Many couples expect a level of intimacy, closeness, and connection in their romantic relationship that is unmatched in other relationships. Many counselors/therapists offer services for couples, families, and individuals. Despite a counselor’s/therapist’s initial training to work with these groups, counselors/therapists often seek additional training or certifications to work with specific groups of people (couples) or issues. This is what makes finding a counselor/therapist so confusing, because they all look similar in some ways. So, how do you know who to pick? Training!
Just like you would not buy a car without doing research, use a new stylist without asking questions, or make an appointment with a physician without first knowing their specialty, you should make sure your counselor/therapist has training in evidence based couple therapy. Evidence means there is research to show the therapy works. It also means that a specific type of therapy has developed a well thought out map of how a counselor/therapist implements therapy, with effective strategies and techniques that give the therapist a toolbox to pull from when working with couples.
Types of Marriage/Couple Therapy
While there are many types of couple therapy, two with significant research evidence are Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Gottman Method Therapy. A therapist with any kind of training in these therapies are likely to advertise their training in these models. It is not enough to say that a therapist uses an “EFT approach” or “Gottman principles,” which just shows they are using the ideas of each therapeutic model. It does not mean they have completed advanced training in the model. At a minimum, search for a therapist that acknowledges additional training in an evidenced based model of couple therapy and clearly states their training on their website or other information. Search through a therapist’s credentials or read their information. Don’t worry, counselors/therapists with advanced training post this information on their website like gold stars. They have often invested a great deal of time and energy in improving their specific skill and want clients to know when they have it. Of course, not stating any training could be an indication there isn’t any.
Want to know more? Watch Dr. Sue Johnson, founder of EFT, talk about Emotionally Focused Therapy.
Professional Affiliation
If you and your partner seek couple therapy to essentially improve the way you connect with one another, then your counselor/therapist should also be connected to professional organizations that promote therapeutic treatment for couples. One of the premiere organizations for advancing ethical and effective therapeutic treatment for individuals, couples, and families is the American Associate of Marriage and Family Therapy or AAMFT.
Want to know more? Watch AAMFT explain how mental health issues are addressed through relationships and how the perspective of Marriage and Family Therapists is unique.
Questions to Consider and Ask
Where there are sparks there is fire. When looking at the information a counselor/therapist is willing share, consider what it says about where they are most passionate. What does it say about where they invest their energy? Do their credentials and training show they specialize in a specific treatment or issue? Most counselors/therapists share information about their specific treatment areas because it is where they invest themselves and their training. These areas often represent the fire burning within the therapist, their passion! It can also mean the counselor/therapist dedicates a major portion of their practice to a specific area. If you are not certain, ask the counselor/therapist? Consider asking the following questions:
- What issues do you treat the most?
- Do you have specialized training?
- Have you treated issue before?
- How much of your practice is dedicated to couples?
Learn more about marriage/couple counseling, deciding on marriage/couple counseling, or signs your relationship needs help.
Are you ready to work on your relationship? Call us or book an appointment online.
Foundations Couple and Family Therapy, PLLC | Foundationscft.com