Navigating a relationship can be difficult and overwhelming. It comes with natural ups and downs. Times when we feel on top of the world and times when we feel at our lowest. Seeking support to get through these difficult times can strengthen your relationship. This can make moving forward together easier.
This is why so many people seek relationship counselling. But what can you expect in a session and how can you get the most out of it? In this article, we’ll outline what you need to know when seeking a counsellor and what questions you should ask to take full advantage of your sessions.
For personalised advice, contact our team and book an appointment at Ros Yuen Psychology today.
What is Relationship Counselling?
Relationship counselling is when a couple seeks support and advice from a counsellor or psychologist. They work closely with you and your partner to help you understand each other better and overcome challenges together.
They can help you feel more connected, as well as offer guidance for how to overcome issues in the future. People seek couples counselling for many different reasons. If you’re not sure what is causing strife in your relationship, your counsellor can help you identify the cause so that you can overcome it.
What to Expect in a Session
In your initial session, most counsellors will try to understand the couple. This will likely start with standard questions. They may ask how long you’ve been together, what your expectations with counselling are and why you may have sought help. This can be extensive, as the counsellor cannot offer guidance without understanding what you may need.
Though this can be intimidating, it is never an interrogation. Most sessions will likely feel like a conversation or chat. Though, depending on your needs, your counsellor may offer additional information or strategies you can take with you. They will explain each of these in a way you can both understand.
What Questions Should I Ask?
Asking your relationship counsellor the right questions can help you get the most out of your sessions. Gaining more knowledge and useful skills can help you navigate new challenges as they arise. This can better prepare you and your partner for the future, and reduce your need for additional counselling.
Here, we’ll outline different categories that can improve your relationship and key questions you can ask for each.
Strengthening Your Relationship
A couples counsellor can help you strengthen your relationship, as long as you are open to guidance. Consider asking these questions to get a better understanding of what you can do.
- What can we do to build or rebuild trust?
- Are there ways we can nurture intimacy?
- What activities or habits can help support our relationship?
Improving Communication
Communicating well is one of the best ways you and your partner can overcome challenges. With guidance, you can reduce arguments and increase your connection. These questions may help.
- Are there ways we can avoid or navigate arguments better?
- Do you have any conflict resolution strategies we could use?
- How can we avoid misunderstandings?
- How do we identify when we are using poor communication skills?
Supporting Each Other
In any relationship, we want our partners to support our goals and aspirations. But sometimes, this support can become unbalanced making one half of the couple feel neglected. These questions can help us understand how to overcome this.
- How can we manage our expectations of each other better?
- How can we identify who needs more or specific support?
- Should boundaries be considered to manage expectations and how can we use them in a healthy way?
How to Move Forward Together
Being able to take what you’ve learned with you moving forward is the only way to maintain the progress you’ve achieved in counselling. But, when you’re not having sessions it can be easy to forget. These questions can help you deal with future problems and challenges before they become real issues.
- Is there something we can do to keep the strategies we’ve learned in mind for the future?
- What warning signs that we are struggling should we look out for?
- What can we do to avoid or overcome future problems?
Offering Valuable Support
Are you ready to take the next step? Relationship counselling is a great way of becoming closer with your partner. With professional guidance, you can build the skills and tools you need to navigate what the future holds for your relationship.
Reach out to our team at Ros Yuen Psychology and book an appointment today. We are always happy to help you wherever you may be in life.
