Couples Therapy
Couples Therapy at KGO Psychology is an opportunity to help couples understand and improve their relationships through enhancing emotional connection, improving communication, resolving conflicts, and encouraging personal growth. Our approach to couples therapy utilizes empirically-supported treatments such as:
Integrative Behavioral Couples Therapy (IBCT)
The Gottman Method
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) For Couples
What to Expect
The couples therapy process requires a safe environment to share and explore, as well as an open mind to learn new tools.
Before starting treatment, we ask couples to fill out assessments to better gauge their understanding of the current conflict and the amount of distress the conflict is causing.
The first month of treatment is an assessment phase in which we will better understand your unique relationship dynamics. This transparent and collaborative approach helps couples to identify their hopes and challenges, and to work with the psychologist to set goals.
The subsequent sessions will be focused on specific strategies tailored to address the couple's needs. Couples can elect to complete weekly questionnaires between sessions to keep the psychologist up-to-date on changes that occur.
Month 1: The Assessment Phase
session 1
The first session will be an opportunity for the couple to outline the course of the relationship and explain the events that have brought the couple to this moment.
sessions 2 - 3
The next two sessions will be individual ones where each member of the couple has the opportunity to share more about their perspective and personal history.
session 4
Session four is a feedback session in which the psychologist will provide a full analysis of the data gathered and present a treatment plan for the path forward.
How often will we meet?
KGO Psychology provides in-person and virtual psychotherapy for couples at our Washington DC office, or virtual sessions for couples located in any PsyPACT state. Couples therapy is recommended weekly to maintain progress and momentum. Regular meetings also allow for immediate feedback and for the psychologist to help adjust strategies as needed. At KGO Psychology, we believe in helping clients acquire the skills they need so that they no longer need our services; often significant changes are achieved in three to six months.
We Offer Couples Therapy Intensives
As an alternative to weekly sessions, KGO Psychology also offers Couple Therapy Intensives in which treatment is delivered on consecutive days for either 90- or 120-minute sessions. This is a great option for couples who are ready to dive in and want to make progress quickly.
