When a relationship gets bumpy, couples counseling might be the thing that can save it. Couples therapy can help with many issues including communication, conflict resolution, and building trust.

For couples therapy to work, it is important to choose a relationship therapist to work with. Here are four tips that can help you choose the right person to help with your relationship.

1. Do Your Research

To find a therapist that is going to meet your and your partner’s needs, you should start with some basic research. You can find a lot of information about a therapist through their website, testimonials, referrals, references, and reviews.

Be sure to check their education credentials and see if they have any niche specialized training that might match your specific needs.

A licensed marriage therapist will have the title Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) or similar. This isn’t necessarily required, but can give you a good idea of the training that the therapist has.

2. Interview Potential Therapists

One of the best ways to determine if a therapist is a good fit for you is by interviewing them.

You are paying for a service, so consider this a job interview. Try to find a time before or during the first session to ask some basic questions.

Some things to ask to determine if they are a good fit include asking for their specializations, education, and supervised training.

You can also ask questions about their opinion on divorce, their success rates, and their philosophy on what makes a successful relationship.

It is important to have similar views as your therapist in these areas.

3. Find Out the Therapist’s Expectations

Couples’ therapy can be a lot of work. It is important to know how the therapist will approach this work to see if it matches your expectations.

Ask questions about the assessment process, the length of sessions, if there are outside assignments, and what their follow-up plan is.

4. Consider the Logistics

There are some basic things to consider when choosing premarital counseling including the fee rate, their availability, and their schedule.

For example, some therapists only work during business hours and if you work a 9 to 5 job, that may not be feasible for your schedule.

You may also want to consider if your insurance will cover the visits. Several online databases allow for searching for therapists by availability, insurance accepted, and can be helpful in comparing therapy costs.

Hard Work Can Pay Off

Therapy is never easy, and it can be especially daunting working through two peoples’ expectations and issues.

But studies show that couples that use couples’ therapy have a higher rate of relationship happiness than those who don’t.

With a little planning and effort, you can choose a relationship therapist that can meet your needs and increase your chances of success.

To learn more about relationship advice, check out our other articles. We also cover topics such as travel, technology, health, home improvement, and many more.

By Manali