Introduction:
Couples therapy, also known as couple therapy, is defined by the American Psychological Association (2018) as “therapy in which both partners in a committed relationship are treated at the same time by the same therapist(s)”, being concerned with problems between and within the individuals who make up the couple, which in turn affect the relationship.
As such, couples therapy is a form of therapy wherein two people in a committed relationship work with the same therapist to address relationship problems and improve communication. The goal, as such, is not necessarily to save the relationship but to help the couple understand each other better, improve their communication and resolve any conflicts which may arise between the partners.
Couples therapy focuses on the relationship itself, not just the individual partners (BACP, 2025) and provides a safe, supportive space for couples to explore their feelings, wherein couples can communicate more effectively (McLaughlin, 2023) and address challenges in their relationship, such as emotional distance, communication breakdowns, intimacy concerns, significant life changes and mental health challenges one, or both, of the partners face (including addiction; ibid. 2023).
This article aims to focus on evidence-based benefits of couple therapy, exploring how seeking professional help via counselling and therapy can be beneficial for couples and common misconceptions which surround couples therapy.
Benefits of Couples Therapy:
Couples therapy can improve a number of outcomes, including communication skills and general partner wellbeing (Lundblad and Hansson, 2005) alongside relationship satisfaction and problem-solving communication in addition to relationship sexual satisfaction (Klann et al., 2016). In addition, couples therapy can improve relationship commitment (Christensen et al., 2010), lowering the incidence of divorce and separation.
Couples therapy can also improve individual functioning of partners in a relationship (Lebow and Snyder, 2022) despite its focus being on relational functioning.
Lebow and Snyder (2022) note, in their meta-review of couples therapy, that couples therapy can reduce both general and specific relationship difficulties; general difficulties including relationship distress and lack of emotional intimacy (Doss et al., 2022), and specific relationship difficulties including affairs, or infidelity (Baucom et al., 2006) and sexual difficulties (McCarthy and Thestrup, 2008)
in addition, they cite a number of studies which note the beneficial impact of couples therapy where one or both of the partners in a relationship has a comorbid mental and/or physical health condition. For example, Wittenborn et al. (2022) note that couple-based interventions for depression and bipolar disorder demonstrate efficacy, including cognitive and/or behavioural couple interventions for depression and psychoeducational family interventions for bipolar disorder. Lebow and Snyder note, more broadly, that evidence has begun to emerge supporting the benefits of couples therapy in a range of conditions, including alcohol abuse (McCrady et al., 2016) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; Monson et al., 2012).
Misconceptions Surrounding Couples Therapy:
Hubbard and Anderson (2022) note the existence of a number of misconceptions surrounding couples therapy, both for individuals and couples; these include the belief that couples therapy is unhelpful, one (or both) partners feeling that they would be judged for seeking help, and feelings of failure in regards to initiating couples therapy. In other words, these misconceptions are rooted in misinformation and stigma; Hubbard and Anderson also note in their study that participants expressed concerns which could indicate a lack of understanding of couples therapy, for example the time commitment required in couples therapy, expecting it to be ‘faster’.
Time commitment is essential to couples therapy due to a number of factors, not least the effectiveness of the therapeutic process (Opland and Torrico, 2024) in addition to the therapeutic relationship between clients and therapists (Fischer and Fink, 2013).
Couples therapy, as discussed, has been demonstrated to display efficacy over a range of domains, including relationship satisfaction, self-reported and observed couple communication, emotional intimacy and improved partner behaviours (Roddy et al., 2020), disproving that it ‘does not work’ or is otherwise unhelpful.
Effective communication patterns are essential in maintaining healthy relationships (Gottman and Silver, 1999), in addition to constructive conflict resolution; both traditional and integrative couples therapy have been found efficacious in improving conflict resolution (Christensen et al., 2010).
Johnson and Greenberg (1985) note the efficacy of emotionally focused couples therapy in enhancing bonding and emotional intimacy between partners; Stanley et al. (2002) conducted a survey finding that key factors such as effective communication and conflict management/resolution contributed to strong relationship commitment and, in turn, successful relationships.
Couples therapy covers these aspects of relational difficulties and provides a safe space in which you, or a loved one, can resolve relevant issues.
How Quickly Can Couples Expect Results?
The timeline in which couples can report experienced benefits from couples therapy varies based on the individual circumstances of the partners within each unique couple. However, generally, research suggests that many couples begin to experience benefits after 6 to 12 couples therapy sessions. For example, Lundblad and Hansson (2006) found significant improvements in relationship satisfaction and partners’ mental health after short-term therapy, with improvements maintained after a 2-year follow-up period.
This is corroborated in a previous study by Halford and colleagues (2001) which noted that couples participating in a brief intervention displayed significant improvements in relationship satisfaction, with improvements sustained over a 12-month follow-up period.
Conclusion:
Seeking couples therapy can be beneficial if you and your partner struggle with effective communication, experience frequent, often unresolved relationship conflicts, have encountered breaches of trust, such as cheating/infidelity, feel emotional disconnect and above all, are committed to improving your relationship in the face of these challenges.
Engaging in couples therapy can provide you with tools to navigate challenges and issues in your relationship and ultimately strengthen it.
Couples therapy offers you evidence-based psychological strategies to enhance your interpersonal communication as a couple, rebuild trust, resolve relational conflicts and deepen emotional intimacy; research supports its efficacy in fostering lasting positive changes across relationships.
As a psychotherapist, I provide couples therapy at Kind Soul Psych; if you are facing issues in your relationship, book an initial consultation to begin your journey towards a healthier, stronger relationship.
References:
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BACP (2025) ‘Couples counselling’, What therapy can help with [Online]. Available at: https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-therapy/what-therapy-can-help-with/relationships/couples-counselling/ (Accessed: 11 May 2025).
Baucom, D.H., Gordon, K.C., Snyder, D.K., Atkins, D.C. and Christensen, A. (2006) ‘Treating affair couples: Clinical considerations and initial findings’, Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy, 20(4), pp. 375–392. doi: 10.1891/jcpiq-v20i4a004.
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