Couples Counselling, Family Therapy and Mental Health: Supporting Each Other Through Tough Times
Navigating things like misunderstandings, intimacy issues, or constant arguing can be hard, especially when you're already dealing with anxiety, burnout, depression, PTSD, or several other mental health issues. So, managing mental health concerns within a relationship is crucial. Couples counselling and family therapy at Williamson & Associates Counselling offers a compassionate and non-judgmental setting to recognize how these challenges can interplay and affect both of you and the dynamics of your relationship.
Williamson & Associates Counselling provides a free 15-minute phone consultation to discuss how couples counselling and family therapy might help your relationship and personal mental health issues.
The Intersection of Mental Health and Relationships
Your personal challenges can have a significant knock-on effect on your partner and family, creating a unique set of stresses within your relationship. Mental health challenges can change the whole dynamic between you two, create communication problems or make intimacy harder. It's tough enough to look after yourself in these times, let alone maintain a healthy relationship.
Research reveals that couples where either partner faces mental health challenges are more likely to encounter marital difficulties, with this risk increasing further when both partners have mental health issues. However, the combined mental health problems of both partners do not uniquely predict a higher chance of separation or divorce; it's essentially the sum of each individual's risk.
Understanding Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT)
EFCT, or Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, is an approach to couples counselling grounded in the principles of attachment theory, helping us understand how deep emotional bonds are formed and maintained. It can help couples caught in unhealthy relationship patterns by having vulnerable conversations to understand their emotional dance better and change the steps to create more stable, secure bonds.
Understanding Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT)
EFIT, short for Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy, is a research-backed method deeply rooted in attachment theory. It has been shown to help people better identify, understand and regulate their emotions, which can help improve their individual well-being and their relationships. This is very helpful in addressing mental health challenges and improving how we navigate relationships.
Understanding Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT)
EFFT, or Emotionally Focused Family Therapy, is an evidence-backed approach built on the foundations of attachment theory that concentrates on strengthening emotional bonds within the family unit to address mental health issues and improve the overall family relationship dynamics.
Navigating Marital Distress and Mental Health Challenges
Having healthy connections with others can be highly challenging if you deal with anxiety, depression, grief, or agonizing memories of past trauma. We understand and want to help you heal your wounds and develop authentic relationships, first with yourself and then with others. Counselling approaches like Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT), Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT), and Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) help families and couples address underlying problems or emotional patterns that often lie beneath issues between partners or family members. This leads to a deeper understanding and healing with the support of loved ones.
The Role of Couples Counselling and Family Therapy in Mental Health
When we struggle emotionally, we don't need our partner to fix things for us or to respond to our emotional needs cognitively. We need security. We need to feel seen, heard and understood so that we can address our mental health issues openly without fear of judgment. This is where couples counselling and family therapy can offer a safe space. A skilled therapist with knowledge and expertise in relationship difficulties may provide vital guidance and insights, allowing you to handle your personal and relationship obstacles confidently.
You're in good hands at Williamson & Associates Counselling; our therapists are highly qualified and bring a wealth of expertise to help couples and families overcome personal and relationship issues and strengthen relationships.
Fostering a Secure Attachment Bond
Emotionally Focused Therapy, whether Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT), Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT), or Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), uses a wealth of experiential exercises to help individuals, couples and families create a deep sense of connection and trust, as secure attachment provides safety for tackling both mental health concerns and relationship dynamics. A secure attachment with a partner who is accessible, responsive, and engaged is critical because it offers a safe emotional space, making it easier to be vulnerable and open up about mental health issues without fear of judgment or rejection.
Couples Counselling and Family Therapy as a Tool for Strengthening Relationships
At Williamson & Associates Counselling, we understand how managing mental illness within a relationship can feel overwhelming and discouraging. We also know that healing is most powerful when your loved one's arms are wrapped around you, supporting and holding you through your struggles.
Conclusion
Our mental health affects every single part of our daily existence. When one or both partners or family members are dealing with mental illness, it can have a ripple effect on their relationship and family. It is essential not to wait until your problems pile up but to seek help and support. Approaches to couples counselling, like Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT), Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT), and Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), play a vital role in guiding couples and families through tough times and teaching them how to turn to each other for support.
If you want to take charge of your mental health and learn how to do it within a harmonious and secure connection, call us to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation with Williamson & Associates Counselling.
Couples Counselling and Family Therapy in Olds, Alberta
At Williamson & Associates Counselling in Olds, Alberta, our couples and family counsellors are trained in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT), Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT), and Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT). Our counsellors offer in-person individual, family or couples counselling at our Olds, Alberta location, or online individual, family or couples counselling to anyone in the province of Alberta. Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT), Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT), and Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) can help you feel connected and emotionally safe in your marriage, family and relationships. Reach out today to book your free phone consultation here with one of our amazing individual, couples and family counsellors.
See other posts about Couples Counselling and Family Therapy in Olds, Alberta:
What to Do When Your Partner or Family Declines to Seek Help Together
Managing Conflict in Your Relationship: Tips from EFT Couples Counsellors and Family Therapists
Rekindling Intimacy: A Couple's Guide to Sexual Healing and Connection
The Top 5 Myths about Couples Counselling, Marriage Therapy and Relationship Therapy