Couples Counseling
Couples Counseling in Peachtree City, GA
Strengthen Your Relationship
Through Expert Guidance
What is Couples Counseling?
Couples counseling (also referred to as marriage counseling) focuses on understanding the dynamics between partners, addressing ongoing issues, and improving your emotional and relational connection.
The Relational Transformation You Want
Couples counseling can lead to a transformation in the way partner/spouses interact with each other, leading to a healthier, more fulfilling relationship. Partners may feel more emotionally supported, understood, and valued. By working through issues with the help of our counselors, many couples find themselves stronger and more connected than before. Counseling can reignite a sense of partnership and help couples build a foundation for long-term happiness together.
Ultimately, couples counseling provides couples with the tools, support, and guidance needed to navigate both the small and big challenges in their relationships, fostering growth, understanding, and lasting connection.
The Benefits of Couples Counseling
Improves Communication
It helps partners communicate more openly, honestly, and effectively, helping them express their needs, concerns, and feelings without misunderstandings or conflict.
Resolves Conflict
Disagreements are natural in relationships, but ongoing unresolved conflicts can cause significant distress. In counseling, couples learn healthy ways to resolve disagreements and avoid escalating arguments.
Strengthens Emotional Connection
Counseling helps partners reconnect, rediscover their bond, and understand each other’s emotional needs better.
Helps Partners Navigate Life Changes Together
Major life events like moving, changing careers, having children, or experiencing loss can put a strain on relationships. Counseling helps couples navigate these transitions, ensuring you remain a supportive team.
Addresses Trust Issues or Infidelity
Trust is a cornerstone of any relationship, and when it’s broken (e.g., through infidelity or dishonesty), couples counseling can help rebuild that trust, heal from the hurt, and decide whether you want to move forward together.
Clarifies Expectations and Goals
Sometimes, couples grow apart because they no longer share the same vision for their future. Counseling provides a space to clarify each partner’s expectations and goals, whether related to family, career, or personal growth, and find ways to align those expectations.
Prevents Relationship Breakdown
Couples counseling isn’t just for when things have gone wrong—it can also be proactive. Seeking therapy before things reach a breaking point can help prevent future issues and keep the relationship healthy. It is deeply enriching for your relationship with your partner or spouse.
Prevents Separation or Divorce
Many couples seek counseling when they’re considering separation or divorce. Counseling can help them determine if they want to continue working on their relationship and, if so, how to do so in a way that improves their connection.
Helps Partners Rekindle Love and Affection
Over time, routine or conflict can cause couples to drift emotionally. Counseling can help partners rediscover the love, affection, and appreciation they have for each other, reigniting the passion and connection.
Resolves Past Trauma or Issues
If past trauma, like childhood issues, previous relationships, or past hurts, is affecting the relationship, counseling provides a safe space to process and heal those wounds together. It helps couples let go of negative patterns that may be affecting their current relationship.
The Difference
What Sets Arise Apart
Arise is a Christian Counseling Center that is both clinically sound and founded in Biblical truth. Our Christian Counseling approach incorporates Biblical principles, spiritual guidance, and Christian values in the therapeutic process.
We are a professional, competent, clinically sound counseling practice, and we serve clients from all faiths and all walks of life. If you don’t want Christian values and Biblical principles integrated into therapy, we will honor and respect that.
Arise’s Christ-Centered
Approach to Couples Counseling
In Christian couples counseling, the therapy process emphasizes both psychological principles and biblical teachings to help couples resolve conflicts and grow stronger in their relationship. Key elements include:
Biblical Marriage Principles
Our counselors will refer to biblical texts about marriage and others that highlight how spouses should relate to each other in a Christ-like manner. We will encourage you to base your relationship on these values.
Forgiveness and Reconciliation
Counseling may help couples work through issues such as infidelity, communication problems, and trust issues, using biblical teachings and Christ’s love and healing to guide the process of healing and forgiveness.
Christ-Centered Approach
The goal of Christian counseling for you to not only improve communication and intimacy but also to encourage spiritual growth and unity in your faith. Couples are encouraged to grow together spiritually, cultivating a shared sense of purpose in your marriage that reflects God’s will.
Prayer and Spiritual Support
Couples will be invited to pray together or separately, seeking God’s help and wisdom for their relationship. The counselor may also pray with the couple or suggest spiritual practices, such as attending church together, as a way to strengthen their bond.
God’s Role is Central
We will emphasize God’s role in healing, transformation, and relationship restoration, and we lead you into deeper personal relationship and connection with Him.
How Long Does Couples Counseling Take?
The length of couples counseling depends on the complexity of the issues you’re addressing. Some couples may feel improvement in a few sessions, while others may require several months of therapy to see lasting change. The therapist will work with you to determine the best course of action based on your needs.
Ultimately, couples counseling is a collaborative process aimed at improving your relationship and creating a stronger, healthier connection. It’s a chance to work through challenges together with the support of a trained professional.
Relationship Counseling
Who Is Relationship Counseling For?
Marital Counseling (for Married Couples)
Marital counseling is typically sought by couples who are already married and facing challenges in their relationship or seeking to deepen their connection and improve communication or intimacy.
Couples Counseling (for Dating or Cohabiting Partners)
Couples counseling is suitable for partners who are in a committed relationship but may not yet be married. This type of counseling is often sought when couples face issues like ongoing conflicts, communication problems, intimacy challenges, or adjusting to life changes (e.g., moving in together, blended families, etc.).
Premarital Counseling (for Couples Preparing for Marriage
Premarital counseling is designed for couples who are planning to get married and want to ensure they are prepared for the challenges that marriage might bring. It focuses on building a solid foundation for the relationship before marriage, addressing potential issues proactively.
How Couples Counseling Works
When you begin couples counseling, you can expect a structured, supportive environment where both you and your partner work with a trained therapist to improve your relationship. The process can vary depending on your specific needs, but here’s what you can generally expect:
1. Initial Sessions
In the first few sessions, your counselor will focus on understanding the issues you’re facing as a couple. We will
Gather information: We will ask about your relationship history, key issues, communication patterns, and any specific concerns.
Set goals: You’ll be encouraged to share what you both hope to achieve through counseling (e.g., improving communication, resolving conflict, rebuilding trust).
Building trust and rapport: It’s important to feel comfortable with your therapist, so we will work to create a safe, non-judgmental space where both partners feel heard and respected.
2. Joint Sessions
The majority of your sessions will likely be joint sessions—meaning both you and your partner will attend together. During these sessions, you can expect:
Guided conversations: Our therapists will help you and your partner discuss your issues, focusing on how to communicate better, understand each other’s perspectives, and address underlying emotions.
Conflict resolution techniques: We will teach you strategies for resolving disagreements in a constructive manner. This might include using “I” statements, practicing active listening, and learning how to stay calm during disagreements.
Homework assignments: We often give “homework” to work on between sessions, like practicing new communication strategies, setting aside time for positive connection, or journaling about your feelings.
3. Individual Sessions
Your Therapist will likely want to see you individually for some sessions too. This is beneficial for several reasons:
Personal issues affecting the relationship: If one partner is struggling with personal issues (e.g., anxiety, past trauma, self-esteem), the counselor might suggest individual sessions to help that person address his/her own challenges.
Exploring underlying issues: If there are deep-rooted issues that need to be processed on a personal level (e.g., childhood trauma or family dynamics), an individual session might be helpful.
Building self-awareness: Sometimes, one partner may benefit from reflecting on their own behaviors or emotions outside of the relationship context to understand how they are impacting the relationship.
Your counselor will discuss this with you and your partner to determine if individual sessions are appropriate and helpful for your situation.
4. Regular Check-ins & Progress Tracking
As you continue in counseling, your therapists will help you track progress toward your goals. Expect to have periodic check-ins where:
- The therapist asks if the strategies are working.
- You and your partner share your experiences and progress.
- You may revisit or adjust goals to ensure the therapy is addressing what’s most important for both of you.
5. The Frequency of Sessions
Couples counseling typically starts with weekly sessions, especially if there are significant issues to work through. As progress is made, the frequency of sessions may decrease, potentially moving to bi-weekly or monthly sessions.
Sessions Available As Soon As This Week
Relationship counseling isn’t just for couples facing crises; it’s valuable for anyone who wants to strengthen their bond, improve communication, and prepare for a healthier future together. Whether you’re married, dating, or preparing for marriage, counseling provides a space to address issues and work toward a stronger, more fulfilling relationship.
In each case, the goal is to enhance the connection between partners and equip them with the tools to handle challenges effectively. View our Therapists who specialize in Couples Counseling and contact us for an initial appointment today.
Real People, Real Stories
Testimonials
"The therapists at Arise are professional, compassionate, and truly listen to your needs. They truly have created a safe space for healing and growth. 10/10 would recommend to any family member or friend."
- Addie Weatherford
"Connie has been very instrumental in the growth of my business and me personally. She is highly recommended for anyone who wants to take their business to the next level and remove any personal lids that are preventing growth."
- Dr. Erinn Harris
"It was exactly what we needed. The process is easy to follow and the counselors are exactly what we needed"
- Rachel Vizza
"I have been with Andra for a few months and she is wonderful! Not only is she an excellent listener but she supplies you with the tools and wisdom to grow and work through whatever it is you’ve got going on. I highly recommend Arise Counseling for any of your personal needs!"
- Charis Williams
"Connie’s coaching has been life changing for me. Her ability to see things within my business and build upon them has not only increased my business but has also allowed me to enjoy what I do again. I would recommend Connie and her coaching to any business owner looking to grow!"
- Veronica Bangsboll