While the terms ‘couples counselling’ and ‘couples therapy’ are often used interchangeably, they are not the same thing.
While both may help couples improve their relationships and overcome challenges, they do this using different approaches, goals, and techniques. It’s important to understand the differences between couples therapy and couples counselling in Adelaide to ensure you choose the one that best meets your needs.
The dedicated team at Ros Yuen Psychology offers a variety of services that are designed to help clients build healthier, more resilient relationships. No two clients are alike, which is why couples counselling looks different for everyone and is tailored to each individual’s needs and goals. Contact us today for more information.
What is Couples Therapy?

Couples therapy is generally for couples who consistently exhibit unhealthy patterns of behaviour. Both parties work with a therapist in an effort to identify factors that contribute to conflicts, helping to rebuild trust and allow couples to relate to each other in healthier ways.
Its goal is to:
- Get to the root cause of issues
- Help identify specific areas of the relationship that may need attention
- Deepen emotional intimacy
- Look at the relationship’s past history, arguments, and conflicts
- Address the ‘whys’, then focus on the ‘hows’
- Focus on both joint and individual issues
- Determine why those obstacles exist
- Develop problem-solving and conflict resolution skills
- Help both parties learn how to better communicate
It may be particularly beneficial for couples with issues around substance abuse, infidelity, health issues (such as depression or chronic pain), and/or parenting.
Techniques Used in Couples Therapy
Various techniques may be used to help couples improve communication, deepen their emotional intimacy, and address issues within the relationship. These include:
- The Gottman Method – The Gottman Method draws from decades of research and utilises evidence-based strategies to improve relationship satisfaction and stability. The breadth of the Gottman Method allows an overall mapping of the difficult areas in the relationship.
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) – Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) was pioneered by Dr Sue Johnson and focuses on understanding and using emotions to create lasting change in relationships and personal well-being. EFT draws from attachment theory and assumes that secure emotional bonds are essential for thriving. When these bonds are strong, we feel connected and resilient. Couples are shown how to identify and express their feelings effectively as well as validate their partners’ feelings.
- Couple Schema Therapy – This technique focuses on changing negative patterns of behaviour based on the principles of schema therapy.
When to Seek Couples Therapy
This is generally best suited to couples experiencing serious and ongoing relationship conflicts. It may help couples get to the root cause of issues that they’re experiencing with the aim of identifying and breaking unhealthy patterns. As such, couples often seek therapy when they’re on the brink of separating as a final resort to try to save the relationship.
What is Couples Counselling?
Couples counselling is usually applicable in addressing relationship issues which are less serious and where the couple already have a relatively effective communication style. Fewer sessions are required to achieve the desired outcome. However, it is not unusual once counselling begins, other difficulties which were masked or suppressed emerge and the couple may opt for longer term couple therapy.
Techniques Used in Couples Counselling
The treatment approaches in Couples Counselling are the same as those in Couples Therapy except that the initial assessment will be less thorough. Treatment will focus on the presenting problem with less regard for contextual issues.
When to Seek Couples Counselling
Couples counselling is a good option for couples who are emotionally connected and clear about the singular point of contention. All they need is to fine tune the relational skills that they already have to prevent their issues to grow and cause lasting resentment in the relationship.
Which One May be Right for You?
Knowing whether couples therapy or couples counselling may be the right choice for your relationship can be challenging, as there is a lot of crossover between the two. Understanding the reasons why you’re seeking professional help and what you ultimately hope to achieve from this will go a long way in helping you reach a decision.
If you’re experiencing challenges in your relationship, please reach out to the compassionate team at Ros Yuen Psychology. We offer relationship counselling and therapy for a range of issues and take a personalised approach to ensure that the needs of both parties are met.