What is couples and relationship coaching?

Couples coaching, also known as relationship coaching, is a specialized form of coaching that focuses on helping couples improve their communication, deepen their connection, and strengthen their relationship. It provides a safe and supportive space for couples to navigate challenges, address conflicts, and build a more fulfilling and sustainable partnership.

Here are some key aspects of couples coaching:

Areas of Focus:

• Communication: Improving communication skills, active listening, and expressing needs effectively.

• Conflict resolution: Identifying and addressing conflict triggers, developing healthy conflict resolution strategies, and finding solutions that work for both partners.

• Intimacy and connection: Rekindling passion and intimacy, fostering emotional connection, and strengthening the bond between partners.

• Shared values and goals: Identifying and aligning on shared values and goals for the future of the relationship.

• Individual growth: Supporting individual growth and self-awareness within the context of the relationship.

• Role negotiation: Addressing power dynamics, negotiating roles and responsibilities within the relationship, and finding balance.

• External challenges: Managing external stressors that impact the relationship, such as work, family, or financial issues.

Benefits of Couples Coaching:

• Improved communication and understanding between partners.

• Reduced conflict and increased ability to resolve disagreements constructively.

• Stronger emotional connection and intimacy.

• Greater clarity and alignment on shared goals and values.

• Increased individual growth and self-awareness.

• Improved ability to navigate external challenges together.

• More fulfilling and satisfying relationship overall.

Who can benefit from couples coaching:

• Couples experiencing communication challenges or conflicts.

• Couples who feel their relationship is lacking in passion or intimacy.

• Couples facing external stressors that are impacting their relationship.

• Couples looking to strengthen their emotional connection and build a more fulfilling partnership.

• Couples considering marriage or transitioning into a new stage of life.

Remember, couples coaching is a collaborative process that requires commitment from both partners. If you and your partner are willing to invest the time and effort, couples coaching can be a powerful tool for building a stronger, more fulfilling, and lasting relationship.

How does it differ from therapy or counseling?

While couples coaching and couples therapy/counseling share the goal of improving couples' relationships, they differ in their approach and focus:

Couples Therapy/Counseling:

• Focuses on mental health issues: Addresses underlying mental health issues that may be impacting the relationship, such as depression, anxiety, or trauma.

• Clinical approach: Employs therapeutic techniques and interventions based on established psychological theories and practices.

• Diagnosis and treatment: Trained therapists can diagnose mental health conditions and provide therapy accordingly.

Couples Coaching:

• Focuses on relationship dynamics: Aims to improve communication, conflict resolution, intimacy, and overall relationship satisfaction.

• Solution-oriented: Uses coaching tools and techniques to help couples identify goals, develop strategies, and take action to improve their relationship.

• Non-clinical approach: Does not diagnose or treat mental health conditions; focuses on empowering couples to find their own solutions.

• Focuses primarily on relationship issues: While individual growth may be addressed, the primary focus remains on improving the relationship.

How does it work and when will I see results?

There's no one-size-fits-all answer to how long it takes to see results in personal development coaching. It depends on a variety of factors, including:

Your specific goals: Are you aiming for a small, achievable improvement in one area, or a major transformation across multiple aspects of your life? Bigger goals naturally take longer to reach.

Your starting point: How much self-awareness and action do you already have in place? If you're starting from scratch, there might be more foundational work to do before you see significant shifts.

Your commitment and consistency: How actively do you engage with the coaching process? Do you regularly implement the strategies and practices discussed? The more invested you are, the faster you'll see progress.

However, to give you a general idea, here's a possible range:

• Small shifts and improvements: You might notice these within weeks or even days, especially if you're working on specific skills or behaviors. For instance, feeling more confident in communication or managing your time more effectively.

• Significant progress towards goals: This could take 3-6 months, especially if it involves changing ingrained patterns or tackling complex challenges. You might see breakthroughs in areas like career advancement, overcoming limiting beliefs, or building stronger relationships.

• Transformational change: This is a deep shift in your overall outlook and way of being, often involving multiple areas of your life. It's the most time-intensive, potentially taking 6 months to a year or even longer. You might experience a newfound sense of purpose, radical self-acceptance, or the ability to navigate life with more ease and joy.

Remember, these are just estimates. Some people experience rapid progress, while others need more time. The key is to stay committed, trust the process, and celebrate even the small wins along the way.

What does it cost?

See my packages and pricing page for details. Contact me for sliding scale pricing.

Are you trained in coaching?

Yes, I graduated the Human Potential Institute (HPI) Coaching program, and am on track to obtain Professional Certified Coaching (PCC) credentials from International Coaching Federation (ICF).