Couples & Relationship Therapy
For many concerns
Our clinicians are experienced in working with a wide variety of romantic couples and other relationships. Presenting concerns range from treating significant distress, improving communication skills, or wanting more emotional closeness.
Couples vs Relationship Therapy-What is the difference?
A “couple” is loosely defined as two consenting adult (18+ years old) partners in a romantic relationship. This type of relationship presents most often for therapy. Couples therapy is one type of relationship therapy. There are also relationships where more than two people are invested in the relationship, known as consensual non-monogamy.
There are other important adult relationships that are not best defined as a “couple”, because romance is not an intended part of the relationship. Below are examples of dyadic relationships (two people) that could benefit from relationship therapy:
Adult children and parent relationships;
Adult children and parent-in-law relationships;
Adult siblings;
Adult friendships; or
Co-parents
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There are some situations that are not the best fit for relationship or couples therapy. These are circumstances that make being vulnerable unsafe or not possible. Your clinician will discuss these areas with you. If couples/relationship therapy is not a good fit for your situation, other professional recommendations will be made.
If more than two members of the same family are seeking therapy, this is considered family therapy. Please visit our Family Therapy page for a list of mental health professionals who conduct family therapy.
Getting started with couples/relationship therapy
Couples/relationship therapy begins with a 1 to 2 session intake session that is focused on gathering a thorough history for all relationship members. Your clinician will discuss if couples/relationship therapy is a good fit, and if so, will provide you with a treatment plan and recommendations for you at the end of the intake session.
Because the “client” is the couple/relationship, no medical diagnosis is rendered. Therefore, we do not bill insurance for couples/relationship therapy, nor do we accept EAPs for couples/relationship therapy.
If you have questions about couples/relationship therapy, are wondering if your unique situation would be a good fit, or want to schedule with one of our clinicians, contact us at (701) 780-6821.
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Emotionally Focused
Therapy (EFT) for Couples
Many of our couples therapists utilize Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples, which is a treatment that works by fostering secure emotional connections between partners. For additional information about EFT and how ATAGF clinicians utilize this therapeutic approach in their practice, please visit our Secure Couples page.
Banner image credit: Photo by freestocks on Unsplash