If you’ve considered going to couples counseling but aren’t sure where to start, or if you’ve seen an Atlanta Couples Counselor but it just didn’t work out. I hear you. I’ve seen many couples who have seen a few couples counselors prior to coming to my office. And I’ve learned a few things that can help people find success in their experience.
Tips for Finding Success in Atlanta Couples Counseling:
1. Figure Out the Type of Atlanta Couples Counselor that you Want: To do this, think about what you want out of your counseling sessions. Do you want to improve communication? Do you want quality of intimacy to increase? Do you what to figure out if you’re going to stay married? Once you figure this out, use this to inform your search and use tip 2.
2. Read About Your Counselor and Ask for a Quick Consult with Them: Many therapists will offer a quick 10-15 minute phone call during which you can ask them questions and can get a sense for their personality and approach. Ask if they can help with the items you identified in tip #1. Also, during this call or while you’re reading up on your therapist, figure out if you think they’re a good personality fit. The relationship with your counselor is one of the most important aspects of counseling. Some people prefer a very gentle nonconfrontational vibe, others want someone who is more directive. Neither preference is ‘wrong’ or ‘right’. Find someone that works with your preferred style.
3. Find An Atlanta Couples Counselor Who Is Well Trained: For couples counseling, it really is a good idea to find someone who specialises in couples therapy. Some of the well researched approaches/trainings for couples counseling are EFT and Gottman Method. These aren’t the only once, but they are great. We have counselors trained in both and find they’re each wonderful approaches in their own ways.
4. If The Person You Picked Doesn’t Work After A Couple Sessions, Move On: This is a tricky thing to figure out and usually we see that it takes a few sessions to know whether or not you’ll vibe with a therapist. But if you’re noticing it’s not working, tell your therapist and don’t be afraid to find another therapist. The good therapists will willingly help you find someone else. That’s because we believe in the power of the work we do, and want clients to find the right fit. As an Atlanta couples counselor, I know I will not be the right fit for everyone. I can’t be! And that’s okay.
Of course there are so many little dynamics I can’t share with you here, but hopefully this list is helpful to you. Know that if you’re considering couples counseling, now is the time to act. In the research, couples tend to wait 6 years after a problem starts before they seek help. Let’s shorten that significantly by normalizing seeking out support.
– Mikela Hallmark, MS, LPC, LMHC, CPCS – Clinical Director
EMDR Certified
