Understanding Couples Therapy

Couples therapy is a valuable resource for partners seeking to improve their relationship, navigate challenges, or deepen their emotional connection. Whether dealing with communication issues, trust problems, or the aftermath of significant life changes, couples therapy provides a supportive environment where both partners can explore their feelings and work towards a healthier relationship.

What Is Couples Therapy?

Couples therapy, also known as couples counseling, involves working with a trained therapist to address relationship dynamics and individual concerns within the partnership. The goal is to foster understanding, improve communication, and develop strategies to resolve conflicts. Therapy sessions typically involve both partners discussing their thoughts and feelings in a safe space, guided by the therapist’s expertise.

Common Issues Addressed in Couples Therapy

Couples therapy can help with a variety of issues, including:

• Communication Problems: Learning effective ways to express feelings and needs.
• Trust Issues: Rebuilding trust after infidelity or betrayal.
• Conflict Resolution: Developing skills to manage disagreements constructively.
• Emotional Disconnect: Re-establishing intimacy and emotional connection.
• Life Transitions: Navigating significant changes such as marriage, parenthood, or relocation.

Approaches to Couples Therapy

Different therapeutic approaches can be employed in couples therapy, each offering unique techniques tailored to the couple’s needs:

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

EFT focuses on identifying and restructuring emotional responses that lead to distress within relationships. It helps couples create secure emotional bonds by addressing negative interaction patterns and fostering deeper connections.

The Gottman Method

Developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman, this method emphasises building a strong foundation of friendship and respect. It provides tools for managing conflict effectively while enhancing intimacy through shared goals and values.

Narrative Therapy

This approach encourages couples to view their relationship through storytelling. By rewriting their narratives, partners can gain new perspectives on their challenges and recognise their strengths as a couple.

How Do You Know If You’re Ready for Couples Counselling?

You and your partner might benefit from couples counselling if you notice:

• Communication patterns could use support. Perhaps you find yourselves having the same conversations without feeling heard, or certain topics have become difficult to discuss together. Counselling provides a guided space to develop new communication skills.

• You’re seeking to strengthen your connection. Many couples experience natural periods where emotional intimacy fluctuates. Counselling can help rediscover and deepen your connection during these times.

• You’re working through a challenging experience together. Life events like navigating parenthood, career transitions, or managing family dynamics can place natural stress on relationships. Counselling offers tools to move through these transitions as a team.

• You’d like to develop healthier interaction patterns. Most couples develop certain ways of responding to each other during disagreements. Counselling helps identify these patterns and create more satisfying alternatives that work for both of you.

• You’re proactively investing in your relationship. Many couples benefit from counselling as preventative care—much like a relationship check-up—to strengthen what’s already working while addressing small concerns before they grow larger.

Remember that seeking support is a sign of commitment to your relationship, not weakness. Many couples find that even a few sessions can provide valuable perspective and practical tools for moving forward together.

Click here to see what does it take to have a healthy relationship!

Many couples wait too long before seeking help. Consider counselling as relationship maintenance rather than a last resort. Even strong relationships can benefit from professional guidance to improve communication skills and deepen connection. The willingness of both partners to participate and be vulnerable is more important than the specific issues you’re facing.

Our Couples Therapists and Marriage Counselors in Hong Kong

Bhavna Bharvani

Clinical Counsellor, Relationship Counsellor

Specialises in working with individuals, couples and LGBTQIA+ folks on healing from trauma, improving relationships, building emotional resilience and overcoming self-limiting beliefs

Bhavna is a US-trained Licensed Professional Clinical Counsellor. As a couples therapist, she helps partners navigate challenges, improve communication, repair past wounds and resentments, and strengthen their emotional connection.

Shirley Hung-Truchot

Psychotherapist, Couples Therapist, Perinatal Specialist

Specialises in helping new moms with perinatal and postpartum symptoms and helps couples identify and break negative patterns, communicate their feelings and needs in a healthy, productive way, and learn to respond, repair, and reconnect emotionally with one another

Shirley is a Canada-trained Psychotherapist and Couples Therapist with over 10 years of extensive experience in providing couples therapy, marriage counselling, and individual counselling. She has worked across a variety of settings including hospitals, university counselling centers, and community mental health centers in Toronto, Canada with individuals and couples with mental health distress and relationship issues.

Michael Beckham

Clinical Counsellor

Specialises in assisting individuals to manage their anxiety, build self esteem, explore intimacy/ relationship dynamics and enhance communication skills

Michael Beckham is a US-trained and licensed Psychotherapist with 19 years of experience helping clients navigate life’s challenges with compassion, expertise, and care. He assists his clients in understanding how they see themselves, how they see the world, and how they see their place in the world.

Josanna Lai

Clinical Psychologist

Specialises in challenging relationships, depression, anxiety, cultural issues and personal growth obstacles

Born and raised in Hong Kong, being fluent in English and Cantonese, Josanna has worked as a clinical psychologist for over twenty-six years in Hong Kong and Australia in diverse clinical settings including child assessment center, inpatient PTSD wards, outpatient psychiatric center, university counseling service, NGO for special education needs and certainly private practice.

Meet Our Full List Of Counsellors Here!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long does couples therapy typically last?

The duration of couples therapy varies based on individual circumstances and goals. Some couples may benefit from just a few sessions focused on specific issues, while others may engage in longer-term therapy to address deeper relational dynamics. 

Will we both need to attend every session?

Yes, most couples therapy sessions involve both partners attending together. This joint participation allows for open dialogue and mutual understanding during the therapeutic process. However, there may be instances where individual sessions are beneficial for personal exploration.

What should we expect during our first session?

During your first session, you can expect the therapist to create a welcoming environment where both partners can share their concerns and goals for therapy. The therapist may ask questions about your relationship history, current challenges, and what you hope to achieve through counselling. This initial session helps establish rapport and sets the stage for future discussions.

If you’re experiencing challenges in your relationship or simply want to strengthen your bond with your partner, consider reaching out for couples therapy. Our therapists can help with fostering understanding, improving communication, and building a fulfilling partnership. Don’t hesitate to contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment. 

How long will we need to attend?
Most couples attend 8-12 weekly sessions. We’ll create a plan based on your specific situation and adjust as needed.

What happens during sessions?
In our 60-minute sessions, you’ll both share your perspectives while your counsellor helps identify patterns and teaches practical communication skills you can use at home.

What if my partner doesn’t want to come?
This is common. We offer no-pressure introductory sessions where reluctant partners can simply listen and ask questions. Many find it less intimidating than expected.

How much does it cost?
Individual Therapy Fees

Our standard fee for a 50-minute individual therapy session ranges from HKD $1,800 to $2,600, depending on the therapist you choose to see. This variation in pricing is based on the therapist’s level of experience and training.

Couples Therapy Fees

For couples therapy, our fees range from $2,500 to $4,000 per session, also dependent on the therapist’s qualifications, expertise and session duration.