Couples Therapy

Most marriages and other relationships aren't perfect. Each person brings his or her own ideas, values, opinions and personal history into a relationship, and they don't always match those of their partner. Although differences don't necessarily mean your relationship is bound for conflict, many marriages do experience problems at one time or another and many couples need help dealing with these problems. 

Making the decision to go to marriage counseling can be tough; however, marriage counseling can help you cope better with a troubled relationship and find ways to improve it rather than trying to ignore the problems or hoping they better on their own.

Couples therapy helps couples understand and resolve conflicts in an effort to improve their relationship. Couples therapy gives couples the tools they need to communicate better, negotiate differences, problem solve and even argue in a healthier way.

What is couples therapy like?

Your therapist will likely ask questions about your relationship as a whole, not just the areas that you feel need to be worked on, as well as your respective relationship histories. Your answers establish a basis for your collective communication styles and your previous relationship experiences that will help as you work on your current situation.

Your therapist will be an impartial mediator that will help you enhance your awareness of your role and interactions in the marriage, and will help you both be more effective in bringing about mutual satisfaction in your relationship.

As with other therapy modalities, full disclosure is an essential part of couples therapy and your therapist won't be able to help without it.

About Emily Abeledo-Adams

Emily and Marc Adams have been married for 14 years and have two children ages 13 and 2. Emily earned her Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California and became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in 2001.

Emily is currently enrolled in the MA in Theological Studies at Liberty University and is also a Licensed Funeral Director, currently working with her husband at their family business, Adams Funeral Home in Salem County, NJ.