During your first couples counseling session, your therapist will likely gather information about your relationship history, current challenges, and individual backgrounds. They may also ask about your goals for therapy and what you hope to achieve. This initial session serves as an opportunity for you and your partner to become comfortable with the therapist and begin building trust in the therapeutic process.
While it is ideal for both partners to actively engage in couples counseling, therapy can still be helpful if only one partner is willing to attend. In such cases, the participating partner can learn valuable skills and strategies to improve communication, manage conflicts, and create a more positive relationship dynamic, which may eventually encourage the other partner to join the process.
Overthinking can be caused by a variety of factors, such as past relationship experiences, anxiety, low self-esteem or insecurity, or simply a tendency towards perfectionism.
Abandonment issues refer to a set of emotional struggles that can result from experiences of rejection, neglect, or loss in childhood or adulthood. People with abandonment issues may have difficulty forming and maintaining healthy relationships, experience intense fear of abandonment, and struggle with self-esteem.
During an EFT session, couples can expect to explore their emotional experiences, attachment needs, and interaction patterns. The therapist will guide them through exercises and conversations aimed at fostering secure emotional bonds and resolving conflicts.
While it can be challenging when one partner isn't on board with working on the relationship, it's important to have open and honest communication. Express your feelings and why it's important to you to work on the relationship. It may also be helpful to seek the guidance of a therapist to work through any issues or to navigate the situation.