Couples Therapy
Taking that first step can be intimidating for some and it is often the unknown that is preventing couples from reaching out. Couples therapy comes in many different forms – my approach is based on an evidence-supported therapeutic framework that begins with a very specific sequence of events. Though much of therapy depends on each couple, I tend to start in the following manner…
The Intake – Both Partners
Our first session is the intake and usually involves both of you – this is where we will cover the paperwork provided by one of our care coordinators. These forms need to be completed before we meet so we can make the most of our time together. This first session sets the stage for our future work and aside from centering around the paperwork, it allows us to get familiar with each other and helps determine if we are a good fit. If time allows we may also get started on some of the next steps, otherwise we will accomplish those in our next session. Some couples will schedule a 2-hour session for the intake so we can tend to all of these things in our first meeting.
Information Gathering – Both Partners
The second session also involves both of you and it is here where I will learn in greater detail about what brings you both to couples therapy as well as the story of your relationship, from its beginning to now (this is important!). Near the end of the session I will ask the two of you to have a conversation with each other about a specific topic so I can make some observations about your interactions. This might feel awkward at first, but remember my role is not to make judgements, it is to get a better understanding of the current dynamic between the two of you. One of the last things we will discuss in this session is the formal assessment I will ask each of you to complete before our next meeting. This formal assessment does have a fee (not paid to me or to the practice), and is not required to continue couples therapy, but I believe it is an essential element in having the insight needed to create our plan of action.
Information Gathering – Individual Sessions
At this point I will ask to see each of you separately for your own session so I can continue to collect relevant information that helps me understand more about what each of you brings to the relationship. This includes specific background information and perspectives on a variety of topics. Though each of your experiences in your individual session won’t be identical, much of what I will talk with you about separately will be similar. It is very important at this point in the process to keep in mind I am not trying to work an angle in favor of any given individual – my focus remains on how this information will benefit our work together in couples therapy.
Discuss Plan of Action – Both Partners
As you can see, a great deal of time and effort from all of us goes into helping me gain an in-depth knowledge about your relationship. Our next session will be our formal review of all the information I’ve gathered and how it relates to what makes a relationship strong. We will discuss the strengths in your relationship as well as the challenging areas – those are what will become a part of our plan of action, and depending on your goals as a couple, we will use this as our starting point to individualize our work together moving forward.
Please reach out if you have any questions – I look forward to working with you both!
Matthew A. Webster, MA, MS, ED.D, LPC
Martin Counseling, PLLC in Katy, TX.
