Couples Therapy For Mental Health Disorders

Couples therapy, also known as couples counseling, is a specialized form of psychotherapy that focuses on improving the relationship between partners.

While couples therapy is often associated with addressing interpersonal issues, it can also play a valuable role in the context of mental health disorders.

The Interaction Between Romantic Relationships And Mental Health

The quality of one’s romantic relationship can influence mental health, and conversely, mental health can affect the dynamics and satisfaction within a romantic relationship.

According to studies, partners in distressed relationships are significantly more likely to have a mood disorder, anxiety disorder, and to develop more physical health problems.

Similarly, conditions like depression or anxiety may cause a person to withdraw or to have difficulty expressing their emotions, impacting the connection between partners.

On the flip side, research shows that supportive relationships can provide a buffer against mental health challenges. Feeling understood and valued by a partner can positively impact one’s mental well-being.

When integrated into a treatment plan, couples therapy can contribute to the overall well-being of individuals dealing with mental health disorders within the context of their relationships.

How Couples Therapy Functions In Mental Health Treatment

Couples therapy can play a role in mental illness treatment, offering a specialized approach that addresses both individual psychological well-being and the dynamics of the romantic relationship.

By addressing these dynamics, couples therapy offers an effective approach to helping couples facing mental health challenges.

At Bedrock, we include couple’s therapy as part of our family therapy plans.

Assessing Relationship Dynamics

Behavioral couples therapy begins with a comprehensive assessment of both partners, exploring their individual mental health concerns, relationship dynamics, and communication patterns.

At Bedrock, our family therapists work to understand the context in which mental health issues are manifesting within each couple’s relationship.

Furthermore, our therapists in couples counseling examine how the relationship itself contributes to or alleviates mental health symptoms.

This involves exploring patterns of communication, conflict resolution, and emotional intimacy within the couple.

Building Emotional Intimacy And Connection

Couples therapy for mental health can help build and strengthen emotional connections between partners. At Bedrock, our therapists often start by looking at people’s communication skills.

By teaching partners effective ways to express themselves, actively listen, and validate each other’s perspectives, we can help create a foundation for clearer and more empathetic communication.

During emotionally focused therapy sessions, our therapists also work to develop empathy by encouraging partners to understand each other’s experiences as they relate to mental health.

This increased empathy helps create a sense of connection as individuals feel truly seen and understood by their partner.

Developing Coping Strategies

During couples therapy sessions, our mental health professionals teach problem-solving skills that can help manage the impact of mental health challenges on the relationship.

Learning effective strategies for navigating disagreements often contributes to a healthier and more resilient partnership.

Furthermore, our relationship counseling sessions include skill-building components that empower partners with effective coping mechanisms.

These skills can be valuable not only for addressing relationship issues, but also for managing the impact of mental health challenges on both partners.

Therapeutic Modalities Used In Couples Therapy At Bedrock

At Bedrock, we employ a variety of in-person, evidence-based modalities to address the challenges within a relationship. The choice of modalities will depend on the specific issues the couple is facing.

Examples of the therapies we provide include:

• cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
• motivational interviewing (MI)
• mindfulness-based couples therapy
• family therapy

Each of these therapeutic modalities can address challenges, enhance communication, and promote relationship satisfaction.

We offer these therapies as a part of both our inpatient and outpatient services for mental health. All sessions are conducted by a licensed therapist trained in relationship therapy.

Learn About Mental Health Treatment At Bedrock

If you and your loved one are experiencing relationship problems related to mental health conditions, our therapists can help. Contact Bedrock Recovery Center today to learn more.