One of the integral components of relationship counselling is identifying the problem. As such, we place a strong emphasis on diagnosis. The early stages of relationship counselling therefore involves assessment and gathering information on the couple’s history.
Problems can vary significantly and range from poor conflict management, lack of fondness for partner, past traumatic experiences impacting commitment in current relationship, or lack of shared values. Once effective assessment has been undertaken, a treatment plan is then developed. This is used to implement a variety of strategies to address the problem which brought the couple to therapy.