Couples Trauma Counseling

Perhaps you have never considered how a marriage and family therapist can help you and your partner work through the impact trauma has had on you or your relationship. Although individual counseling is essential for people who have experienced trauma, research suggests that family involvement is also an integral part of the healing process. Our blog series on couples impacted by trauma explains how EFT therapy specifically helps both trauma survivors and their partners heal together.

Couples counseling with a marriage expert can help you and your partner in two key ways. First, couples counseling can help you improve your relationship by identifying the ways in which trauma has impacted your ability to connect. Secondly, couples counseling can help you learn how to work together as a team to improve the actual trauma symptoms experienced by the trauma survivor. For practical guidance on rebuilding connection, our resource on effective communication techniques provides valuable tools for couples working through trauma recovery together.

We Offer Evidence-Based Counseling for Couples Impacted by Trauma

Our counseling methods can provide the help you and your partner need. At the Prescott Relationship Center, we are dedicated to using evidence-based counseling practices. This means that the type of counseling we provide has been proven by decades of research studies to effectively help struggling couples.

In particular, our counseling practice uses Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) in our couples counseling sessions. Emotionally Focused Therapy is a model of therapy that anticipates fast results. Couples who are focused and motivated often experience significant improvements in their relationship after 8-10 sessions.

Why is EFT perfect for assisting couples dealing with trauma?

Emotionally Focused Therapy focuses on understanding and modifying couple’s emotional interactions. It works towards building healthy attachments and bonds between partners. The focus of EFT on emotions and bonding is what makes this therapy such an effective treatment for individuals and couples who have been impacted by trauma. Trauma destroys healthy attachments; EFT helps couples learn how to rebuild them.

Emotionally Focused Therapy used in the context of relationship counseling is highly effective. Research shows that 90% of couples who receive EFT show significant improvements. More specifically, numerous studies show that EFT for couples is an effective treatment for trauma. Research shows that couples impacted by childhood sexual abuse who complete EFT for couples report improvement in relationship satisfaction and reduction in trauma symptoms. Additionally, veterans impacted by combat trauma report that EFT for couples reduces depression and psychological distress related to the trauma.

Consider Couples Counseling in Addition to Individual Treatment

Many couples impacted by trauma have never considered the role that couples counseling can play in their recovery. People who have experienced trauma or been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder should find a counselor to help them on an individual basis. However, many times, recovery from trauma occurs through the help of multiple treatments that each address different symptoms and concerns.

Couples counseling is one important additional treatment for you to consider. When trauma survivors only go to individual therapy, their family members often feel cut out and excluded. They don’t know how to help. But in the context of EFT for couples, partners are not only included, but become an integral part of the healing process.

If trauma is impacting your marriage, EFT for couples can help. Processing your emotions and concerns in the context of counseling can bring healing to your trauma and transformation to your relationship.