Couples therapy
Couples therapy: a neutral space to break the cycle of recurring arguments, rebuild communication and decide calmly how to move forward.
What it's for
Couples therapy isn't about deciding who's right. It's about identifying the pattern that keeps repeating — one partner pushes, the other withdraws; or both attack and neither listens — and giving the couple tools to get out of it. Most conflicts don't come from the topics themselves, but from the way they're talked about.
Common reasons for a consultation
- Frequent arguments that always end the same way.
- Distance, routine, or a feeling of living together without a relationship.
- A crisis over infidelity or a broken trust.
- Disagreements about parenting, in-laws or money.
- Life changes: a new baby, moving house, illness, retirement.
- Difficulties in your sex life.
- Deciding whether to stay together or separate, and doing it in the best way possible.
How sessions work
It starts with a joint assessment and, depending on the case, an individual session or two, to understand the relationship's history and what each person expects. Then the work moves to goals agreed by both: communication, managing conflict, concrete agreements, rebuilding trust. The therapist keeps a neutralrole: they don't take sides.
Conditions and limits
It works when both partners take part, even if one arrives with more doubts than the other. It's also a valid space to support an orderly separation, especially when there are children. It isn't the right resource when there's violence in the relationship: in that case, care needs to be individual and protected, and that's made clear from the first session.
Frequently asked questions
Does couples therapy work if one of the two does not believe in it?
It works when both take part, even if one arrives with more doubts than the other; that initial scepticism is common and is worked on in the first session. What does not work is coming so that a third party decides who is right: that is not the job.
Can it be used to separate well?
Yes. Supporting an orderly separation is a valid goal, especially when there are children. The space serves to make the decision calmly and to agree on how to move forward without the conflict becoming chronic.
Are there individual sessions?
We start with a joint assessment and, depending on the case, some individual sessions to understand the history of the relationship and what each partner expects. The therapist keeps a neutral role: they do not take sides with either of you.
What happens in couples therapy?
We identify the pattern that keeps repeating —one demands, the other withdraws, or both attack— and we work towards agreed goals: communication, conflict management, concrete agreements and rebuilding trust. It starts with a joint assessment and, depending on the case, some individual sessions.
When is couples therapy recommended?
When arguments always play out the same way, when there is distance or a routine that neither of you knows how to break, after a breach of trust, when life changes throw you off —a child, an illness, retirement— or when you have to decide whether to carry on. The sooner, the more room there is to work.
Questions and comments
Ask the specialist who reviews this page or leave us a comment. Everything is reviewed before it is published.
To write, first confirm your email: we will send you a code.
Content reviewed by Mr Álvaro Chaves Sánchez