Couples therapy at ICFT helps partners enhance communication, rebuild trust, and deepen emotional connection through evidence-based, personalized support. Understanding what to expect can make starting therapy feel easier and more empowering.
Key Takeaways:
- Sessions focus on healthy communication, conflict resolution, and rebuilding emotional or physical intimacy
- Licensed therapists draw from multiple evidence-based therapeutic approaches, tailoring treatment to each client's unique needs and goals.
The process begins with a structured intake, consisting of one long joint session and individual sessions, followed by weekly couples therapy. - Therapy supports issues like conflict, trust breaches, disconnection, intimacy concerns, and major life transitions.
- Couples gain clarity, coping skills, and a personalized plan designed to strengthen their relationship.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- What Is Couples Therapy?
- Common Relationship Issues
- Types of Therapy Offered
- Therapy Approaches
- How Therapy Works
- First Session Overview
- ICFT’s Approach & Benefits
- Expectations and Outcomes
- Getting Started
- FAQs
- Next Steps
Wondering what actually happens in couples therapy? At Individual, Couple, and Family Therapy (ICFT) in Dublin, Ohio, our couples counseling services are designed to meet partners wherever they are with evidence-based, compassionate therapy. Whether you're navigating ongoing conflict, healing from infidelity, or simply feeling stuck, understanding what to expect from couples therapy can help you take that important first step toward a stronger relationship.
What is Couples Therapy?
Couples therapy, also known as couples counseling or marriage counseling, is a type of therapy that helps partners resolve relationship issues and improve communication. A trained couples therapist guides couples to practice open and honest communication and conflict resolution in a neutral, supportive environment.
At ICFT, we use a systemic, research-based approach to therapy that considers the context of your life, history, and goals. Key aspects include:
- Licensed marriage and family therapists with advanced training in counseling for couples
- Evidence-based approaches tailored to each couple's unique needs
- A safe, non-judgmental space for couples to address their challenges
- Focus on developing healthy communication skills and problem-solving abilities
- Support for various relationship types, from dating to long-term committed partnerships
What Issues Does Couples Therapy Address?
Couples therapy can help with a wide range of relationship challenges. Our couples therapy services support clients who may be experiencing ongoing conflict or communication breakdown, infidelity or breaches of trust, differences in parenting styles or household responsibilities, emotional or sexual disconnect, the stress of major life transitions, work/life balance, issues related to mental health, trauma, or addiction, and challenges with extended family or boundary-setting.
Through attending therapy sessions, couples work toward transformation:
- From poor communication to improved communication and better conflict resolution skills
- From broken trust to a stronger trust in one another
- From confusion to a better understanding of relationship breakdowns
- From conflict to a more collaborative and supportive approach to differences
- From disconnection to renewed emotional and sexual intimacy
- From stress to co-regulation strategies and coping mechanisms
- From isolation to compassion-based skills of supporting and reconnecting
What Types of Couples Therapy Do We Offer?
At ICFT, we recognize that different couples have different needs. We offer several specialized approaches to relationship therapy.
Couples Counseling (Both Partners Leaning In)
This is for couples committed to staying together and working through difficulties. These sessions help partners learn how to communicate effectively, resolve conflict, and rebuild emotional and physical intimacy. The relationship becomes the client, and work in sessions is conducted toward the betterment of the relationship.
Discernment Counseling (One or Both Partners Leaning Out)
Ideal for couples on the brink of separation or divorce. If one or both partners are unsure about staying together, our therapists provide structured, short-term support to help clarify your next steps. This is distinctly different from couples therapy; the goal is clarity on the next direction, not necessarily reconciliation.
Premarital and Newlywed Counseling
Start your relationship on the right foot. Whether preparing for marriage or navigating your first year together, our counseling for couples strengthens communication, sets healthy expectations, and promotes a shared vision for your future together.
What Therapy Approaches Do We Use?
Our licensed therapists are trained in multiple evidence-based modalities and will tailor their approach to fit your needs. Common approaches include:
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) – Helps couples strengthen their emotional connection and attachment bonds
- Solution-Focused Therapy – Concentrates on building solutions rather than dwelling on problems
- Internal Family Systems – Explores how different parts of ourselves show up in relationships
- The Gottman Method – Uses research-based interventions to build friendship, manage conflict, and create shared meaning
Our team of seasoned clinicians will work with you to determine which modalities are most appropriate for your relationship's unique dynamics and goals.
How Does Couples Therapy Work at Our Practice?
Understanding the therapy process can help ease any anxiety about starting. Here's what you can expect.
Initial Assessment of Relationship Issues
The process begins with an initial intake session with the couple together for approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. This is followed by individual 50-minute sessions with each partner separately. This structure allows your therapist to understand both the relationship dynamics and each person's individual perspective.
Ongoing Couples Sessions
After the initial assessment, couples typically attend 50-minute sessions held weekly (though frequency and length of sessions can be adjusted based on presenting challenges and the couple's goals).
Flexible Session Structure
Depending on what's most helpful, sessions may involve:
- Couples sessions where both partners attend together
- Individual sessions focused on individual growth and relationship goals
- A combination of both formats
Even when meeting individually, the work also includes relationship goals. Your clinician will help you formulate clear goals and make agreements to support the therapeutic work.
What Happens in the First Session?
The first session is an opportunity for couples to meet their therapist and discuss their goals and expectations. Many couples feel uncomfortable or nervous before their first therapy appointment; this is completely normal.
During the first few sessions, your therapist will:
- Work with you to identify areas of strength and weakness in your relationship
- Develop a treatment plan tailored to your specific situation
- Create a safe space for open and honest communication
- Help you understand what the therapy process will look like moving forward
- Answer questions about how therapy works at our practice
By the end of the first session, couples will have a clear understanding of what to expect from the therapy process and how to move forward. Most couples report feeling hopeful and relieved after that initial appointment.
What Makes ICFT Different?
We're proud to be a leading provider of couples therapy in Ohio, with a strong reputation for helping relationships heal and thrive.
Specialized Expertise
Our therapists are licensed professionals with master's level education and advanced training in couples counseling. Each clinician brings years of experience working specifically with couples and relationship dynamics.
Tailored Care
No two relationships are the same. We personalize every session to address your relationship's specific goals and dynamics. Your therapist will adapt their approach as your needs evolve throughout the healing process.
Compassionate and Neutral Guidance
We create a safe, respectful environment where both partners feel heard.
Convenient Options
Choose in-person couples therapy in Dublin or access flexible teletherapy anywhere in Ohio. Our telehealth therapy option makes it easier for busy couples to prioritize their relationship without the added stress of commuting.
What Can Couples Expect from the Therapy Process?
The therapy process typically involves regular sessions with a licensed therapist where couples work to develop healthy communication skills, resolve conflicts, and strengthen their emotional connection.
- Real change takes time and commitment. Most couples experience the following journey:
- Early sessions focus on assessment, goal-setting, and building a therapeutic relationship
- The middle phase involves actively working on communication problems, practicing new skills, and addressing difficult issues
- Later sessions emphasize sustaining positive change and preparing for life after therapy
Throughout the process, your therapist will help you navigate challenges while celebrating progress. By working through challenging issues and developing healthy communication skills, couples can build a stronger, more fulfilling relationship.
Is Couples Counseling Right for You?
If you're wondering whether couples counseling can help, the answer is most likely yes. You don't need to wait until things are falling apart; therapy is an investment in your relationship and your future.
Couples therapy might be right for you if you're:
- Feeling disconnected or misunderstood by your partner
- Navigating the aftermath of infidelity or trust issues
- Facing frequent arguments or ongoing tension
- Struggling with intimacy or your sex life
- Dealing with parenting disagreements or family challenges
- Experiencing stress from major life transitions
- Struggling with extended family relationships
- Simply wanting to be on the same page with your partner
- Feeling stuck or unhappy in any way
Even strong relationships need support sometimes. Couples who attend therapy report feeling stuck before starting, but experience a different outcome once they begin working with a skilled marriage counselor.
How Do You Get Started with Couples Therapy?
Taking the first step toward couples therapy is often the hardest part. At ICFT, we make the process as simple and welcoming as possible.
Contact Us
Call us at 614-389-0747 or email office@icftcolumbus.com to talk with our intake team. We're happy to answer questions and help determine if couples therapy is right for you.
Schedule Your First Session
Once you have spoken with our intake team, we'll schedule your initial session. Many couples feel a sense of relief just from making this appointment. It's a powerful statement that you're both willing to invest in your relationship.
Telehealth and In-Person Options
We offer both in-person couples therapy in Dublin and secure teletherapy sessions anywhere in Ohio. This flexibility ensures that therapy can fit into your life, regardless of your location or schedule.
Ready to Start Your Journey?
If you're ready to grow together, heal old wounds, and rediscover what brought you together, ICFT is here to help. Our team of compassionate professionals is committed to offering effective, personalized couples therapy in Dublin and throughout Ohio.
Many couples who seek therapy aren't looking for dramatic changes; they simply want to feel connected again, communicate without constant conflict, and move forward together. With the support of a trained therapist, these goals are absolutely achievable.
Remember: seeking therapy isn't a sign of failure; it's a sign of commitment to building the relationship you both deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions About Couples Therapy
How long does couples therapy take?
The average commitment is typically at least 6 months, starting with weekly sessions, and moving toward less frequent as the couple improves. The frequency and length of sessions varies based on your specific challenges and goals. Some couples benefit from just a couple of sessions, while others find value in longer-term support.
Do both partners need to attend every session?
While most sessions involve both partners, there may be times when individual sessions are beneficial. Even individual sessions still remain focused on relationship goals.
What if my partner doesn't want to go to therapy?
Starting with discernment therapy may be an option. Also, Individual therapy may help. We know that it takes two to get into a negative cycle. Individual therapy can help change the system by helping one person to change their part in the cycle. Changes brought to the system through individual therapy can help your partner start to believe that change is possible and that perhaps therapy could work.
Can therapy save a struggling marriage?
Couples therapy provides tools, insights, and support, but the outcome depends on both partners' commitment to the process. Many couples report significant improvements in their relationship through consistent engagement with therapy.
What's the difference between a marriage counselor and a couples therapist?
These terms are often used interchangeably. At ICFT, all our therapists who work with couples are licensed marriage and family therapists with specialized training in relationship work.
Take the Next Step
Reach out to us today to schedule your first session or free consultation.
614-389-0747
6135 Memorial Dr, Suite 104, Dublin, OH 43017
Additional Resources
Have questions about what to expect or how to prepare for your first session?
Visit our Frequently Asked Questions for more information
Learn how to Get Started with ICFT