You and your partner are thinking of beginning couples counseling in St. Pete. You’ve spent time searching for a therapist that you both feel would be a good fit to work with, and have finally found someone. You book your appointment, and now all that’s left to do is wait. So what should you expect to happen during your first few sessions of couples counseling?
Let’s be honest, most couples coming in for couples counseling are struggling through something, and are looking for support and ways to improve their relationship.
Or maybe your relationship feels really comfy, and you’re coming in to identify ways to maintain the health of your partnership! Either way, coming into therapy for the first time with your partner might cause some anxiety, fear, or even frustration. You might be feeling stress about opening up to a complete stranger about your most intimate feelings. Maybe you’re worried about the potential argument that might ensue once you begin your session with your partner. All of these are valid. And remember, your couples counselor is there to help.
In your first session of couples counseling in St. Pete, expect to be asked the reason you and your partner have reached out for help.
Take time before your session to sit with your thoughts and feelings in order to explain what you hope to get out of couples counseling. How can your relationship be improved? Do you want to feel more heard? How can you and your partner connect in a deeper way? Whatever you’re needing from your couples counseling journey, try to express it as best you can in your first session. Remember, it’s okay if you and your partner have different reasons for starting counseling. It’s also okay if more needs come up for you during your initial meeting than you originally thought. In your first session, your therapist will help to navigate your needs and the needs of your partner.
So you’ve had your first session of couples counseling in St. Pete.
In your first appointment you and your partner felt like your therapist was a good fit, you’ve both expressed your needs, and are ready for your follow up sessions. You might have been asked to be met with separately this time in order to give your therapist a chance to get to know your experience and thoughts about the relationship individually. This is the time to further explain your needs in the relationship, while remembering that anything said individually should be shared once you and your partner are in session together again. Secrets are no fun and not helpful to your therapeutic journey!
Now you and your partner are in session together again, and continue to explore ways to decrease tension and increase connection in your relationship. 
Honestly, arguing is normal. Your therapist will be a supportive tool in helping you learn to communicate with respect, care, and active listening. Honesty is key in couples counseling, and feeling that your therapist provides a space for it makes all the difference. Try to be as forthcoming and participatory as possible, in order to avoid bringing the argument or uncomfortable feelings with you once you leave the session. Will this always be possible? No. But being open and willing to have the tough conversations in therapy, with your counselor there to serve as a translator and mediator, can help bring about a major shift in your relationship for the better.
Couples counseling in St. Pete can seem intimidating, we get it.
From booking and waiting for your first appointment, expressing concerns and frustrations that you’d like to address in your couples counseling work, going through potential arguments in session… it’s scary. But through commitment to therapy and putting in work, your relationship can be lovingly reworked into a partnership that feels stronger and more deeply connected. If you have more questions about couples counseling in St. Pete. or need help taking the first steps, we’re here to help! Give us a call and let us help you, your partner, and your relationship flourish.
Ready to Start Couples Counseling in St. Pete?
Beginning the journey to your best relationship is easier than most of the things we’re all doing right now! Couples counseling does not have to wait. You can get the mental health support you need with a skilled therapist in St. Pete or with online therapy in Florida. To begin, just follow these simple steps:
- Contact us to request an appointment
- Meet with one of our experienced therapists.
- Get support & begin your journey toward mental wellness & connection today!
Other Mental Health and Wellness Services at ME-Therapy
At ME-Therapy, we believe in the importance of mental, emotional & physical wellbeing. Our therapists want to help your mind but also want to feed your soul. This means we take a holistic approach to mental health. In order to do this, we offer a wide range of mental health services in our St. Petersburg office and online including therapy for women, therapy for men, trauma therapy, therapy for anxiety, and holistic, spiritual therapy. For couples and relationships, we want you to know that our relationship therapists are here for you ALL. In addition to marriage counseling, we provide sex therapy, affair recovery counseling, and poly-friendly kink aware therapy.
