Couples & Family
Counselling
Couples and Family Counselling
Couple and Family Counselling aims to understand the dynamics of relationships, communication and behavioural patterns that affect the connection between members of a couple or family.
Understanding the Dynamics of Couple
In the context of counselling, it looks at how the members of the couple interact:
- Roles in the couple: what role does each member play in the relationship?
- Family history: Was there someone in each member’s family who performed a similar role?
- Functioning of the system: How does family background affect current relationships?
This exploration helps to uncover the patterns and influences that affect the relationship, promoting understanding and the development of healthier ways of interacting.
The Importance of Communication
A key element in couples counselling is the analysis of communication. Often, people communicate with:
- Double messages: When verbal communication is not consistent with non-verbal communication (body language, tone).
- Confused signals: These create confusion and emotional tension, leading to conflict and alienation.
The aim of therapy is to cultivate more authentic and aligned ways of expressing oneself that promote connection.
The Couple as Living System
A couple can function effectively as a system when:
- It is resistant to external influences.
- It retains its flexibility for change and growth.
The therapeutic process encourages members to discern how their entrenched ways of communicating affect the relationship and to discover new perspectives to resolve tensions.
Acceptance and the Flow of Relationship
Counselling offers a space for couples to accept that they cannot control everything. As Ioannidou says:
“When you agree that you don’t have much control, then you can see that things go much more smoothly. Not just because you ‘submit’, as they say, but because you ‘go along’ with whatever is there.”
Accepting this truth enhances intimacy and resilience in the relationship.
Couples and Family Counselling provides the tools to create a more connected and balanced relationship, based on understanding, communication and mutual development.
FAQs
What is Couples and Family Counselling?
Couple and Family Counselling is a therapeutic process that aims to improve communication, understanding and dynamics in the relationships between members of a couple or family.
How does therapy help in understanding the roles in the relationship?
Therapy examines the roles that the couple members have in the relationship, the relationship of these roles to their family past and how these roles affect the functioning of the relationship.
Why is communication important in a relationship?
Communication determines the nature of the relationship. Often, non-verbal communication (body language, style) conflicts with verbal messages, creating confusion and tension. Therapy helps to align messages so that there is clarity and understanding.
What are the common communication problems in couples?
- Confusing double messages.
- Lack of understanding of extra-verbal communication.
- Frequent conflicts without real dispute resolution.
What does it mean that the couple is a "living system"?
A couple is considered as a living system when:
- It is resistant to external pressures.
- It adapts to changes, maintaining its equilibrium.
Therapy helps couples to develop these characteristics, strengthening their connection and resilience.
How can the relationship change through therapy?
Therapy offers a new perspective on entrenched ways of communicating and managing tensions. Couples learn to recognize the roots of conflict and create healthier ways of connecting and working together.
How does acceptance relate to relationship improvement?
Accepting that they cannot control all the issues in their relationship allows couples to reduce tensions. As stated:
“When you agree that you don’t have much control, then you can see that things go much more smoothly.”
How long does it take to see changes in the relationship?
Treatment duration depends on the complexity of the issues facing the couple or family. In some cases, the first changes may be seen within a few sessions, while others may need more time for deeper understanding and adjustment.
In which cases is Family Counselling useful?
Family counselling is useful in cases such as:
- Tensions between family members.
- Conflicting perceptions of the role of each member.
- Changes affecting family dynamics (e.g., birth of a child, divorce, moving).
What is the ultimate benefit of Couples and Family Counselling?
The ultimate benefit is a more connected, resilient and harmonious relationship, where partners or family members communicate openly, understand each other and work together to achieve common goals.
Contact
Contact form
Phone
+30 6987416614
info@synthesistherapy.gr
Address
24 Erythrou Stavrou,
177 78 – Tavros, Athens
Opening hours
Monday – Friday: 10:00 – 21:00
Saturday: 11:00 – 21:00
