Couples therapy is a type of psychotherapy in which a licensed therapist, with clinical experience working with couples, treats the relationship itself rather than the individuals. The goal is to improve the couples’ relationship, or sometimes to help them decide whether or not they should continue staying together.
Therapy often includes sessions designed to improve problem-solving, build communication skills, and identify life goals and relationship responsibilities. Other common issues include infidelity, anger, financial problems, illness, or other life changes. Depending on the level of distress in the relationship, therapy can be short-term, or over a period of several months or even a year.