Relationship, Sexual & Family Problems
Relationship and marital problems are very common with more relationships now breaking down than succeed. This means that perhaps we all might benefit from therapy are some time during the course of our relationships. Problem-focused treatments for Couples and Families are a common approach for many cognitive behavioural psychotherapists. Many times problems persist because of communication and behaviour patterns or habits in a family or marriage that have become unhelpful. Cognitive Behavioural psychotherapy helps you change the way you communicate with those you love so you can be heard as well as listen better. This often involves practicing key skills such as listening and will always involve home work practice. The hallmark of satisfying relationships is that each partner feels that important rewards will be experienced in their relationship. Often distressed couples will decrease their rewarding behaviour toward their partner because they feel they are not receiving rewards from their partner. This follows the rule of reciprocity in relationships-- you give what you get. Thus, if you get rewarded, you will probably reward your partner. Similarly, if you get punished, you will probably punish your partner through either withdrawal or criticism. The unfortunate outcome for distressed couples is that as one partner decreases rewards, the other partner also decreases rewards, thereby confirming each partner's belief that the relationship is unrewarding.
