The Advantages of Couples Therapy for Separated Couples

When going through a divorce, some couples choose to merely separate. But for some, therapy remains an option even though they are not together. In fact, a surprising number of couples have saved their marriages using this strategy.

Relationships will always confront obstacles and difficulties, but how couples respond and work through them will determine whether or not their marriage survives or fails.

Reason for Couples Therapy

One of the main reasons for couples therapy is to help couples look at their marriage objectively and identify what they want out of the relationship. 

The couple is placed into a neutral and safe environment where they do not experience emotional turmoil due to their separation. Instead, they can focus on their marriage more clearly through honest and open communication. Couples are encouraged to uncover their deepest desires and hopes for their marriage and how they want their lives to be.

Advantages of Couples Therapy

1. Working on Personal Issues

Therapy can allow individuals to explore personal issues and problems in an environment and setting that will enable them to feel free of judgment. Emotional issues may include guilt, grief, anger, and regret. This is the first step toward healing individually.

2. Identifying Values

Marital therapy allows couples to identify what they value and are committed to in their marriage. After identifying these values, they can start deciding and moving forward together. Although it can be tempting to make choices without considering the other person, couples must be thoughtful to preserve their bond.

3. Rebuilding the Relationship

One of the main benefits of attending couples therapy is to rebuild the relationship. Couples therapy can help couples rebuild the connection they once had through relationship-building activities and exercises. These allow the couple to reflect on their relationship and figure out what's important to them.

4. Developing Trust

Trust is essential to a healthy relationship, and attending couples therapy can help reconnect couples. Couples have to have faith in each other to stay together. 

By attending couples therapy, couples can develop trust, which allows them to move forward and grow together.

5. Learning to Be In-Tune Again

Another advantage of couples therapy is that couples who once finished each other's sentences can learn to be in-tune with one another again. The therapist will encourage the couple to look at the relationship from both partners' points of view.

Using couples therapy to work through the stages of separation can be a powerful tool to help couples rebuild their marriage. It is effective that many therapists will encourage couples to participate in this sort of therapy even before the divorce.

6. Helping Couples through the Process

A significant advantage of couples therapy is to help couples in the process of separating. This is a very stressful time for couples, and the assistance of a trained professional is a valuable benefit to couples.

Even couples who have decided to divorce and obtained the required separation agreement may benefit from couples therapy. The reason is that the separation agreement comes into effect after the divorce is final. 

There may be a time when the spouses are separated and have not yet officially divorced. During this period, couples can discuss topics they would not have addressed before. This is an opportunity for couples to understand and discover how they can best work together as co-parents to their children.

Conclusion

Couples therapy can be highly beneficial for separated couples. They have an opportunity to work on personal issues and identify personal goals for the marriage. Therapy can help couples rebuild their trust, allowing them to learn how to be in tune again. In the end, couples can learn to be supportive, caring and loving of one another, regardless of their decision.

Chettiar Counselling & Associates offers couples counselling in Cambridge. We provide a safe, non-judgmental space for our clients to process their pain, whether managing anxiety, depression, anger management, relationship issues, trauma recovery, or more. Contact us today for a free consultation.