3-C Family Services

Marital Therapy

Therapy for Couples

3-C offers two forms of couples therapy. In many cases, couples choose to use a combination of the two interventions to get the best results for their marriage.

The first form is the more traditional format where a couple sits down with a therapist privately. In this format, the intervention is specifically tailored to the couple’s presenting issues. Often couples will choose to start with this approach particularly if they are having significant difficulties or there has been a significant trauma. The advantage of this format is that the skills and understanding the couple achieves are specific to their experience. What is missed in this format is the real time and real life understanding of what other couples are going through and the learning that comes from working with people in a group who are struggling with similar issues.

The second for is psychoeducational seminars. These seminars are skills-based, research proven methods of helping even severely distressed marriages survive and thrive. Unlike traditional therapy, these programs adhere to a curriculum designed to address most problems and the basic skills needed in marriage. Couples do not have to divulge what the problems are in their marriage to attend or get the most out of the classes. In class, they can focus on learning the tools, helping others learn the tools, and practicing using the tools. Many couples do share some aspects of their struggles and often learn how much they have in common with other couples in the group. Sometimes just knowing that others are facing similar issues helps to put the ones you are struggling with into perspective. What you lose in specificity to your problem, you gain in a greater understanding of what marriage is from peers who are working on their relationships, too.

What to expect: Whichever approach you select, the first step is a 50 minute intake appointment. In this appointment, you will share with your therapist what the key issues are, some of your history leading up to these issues, and the goals you want to achieve. Your therapist will help you choose which approach will fit you best and explain how each approach might be used in your case.