Self-Care in Couples Therapy
Self-care is an essential component of any therapeutic process, and it's particularly important in couples therapy. There is a reason why flight attendants on airplanes instruct you to put on your own oxygen mask first before helping anyone else. If you aren’t able to take care of your well-being, you won’t be in any position to help anyone else.
Here are a few reasons why self-care is so important in couples therapy:
It helps you manage stress: Couples therapy can be a time-consuming and emotionally taxing process, and it's important to have strategies in place to manage the stress that comes with it. Engaging in self-care activities such as exercise, meditation, or spending time in nature can help you and your partner manage your stress levels and maintain your overall well-being.
It helps you stay focused: It's important to be fully present and engaged in couples therapy in order for it to be effective. Engaging in self-care activities can help you both maintain your focus and energy, and ensure that you are able to fully participate in the therapeutic process.
It helps you stay connected: Self-care is an important way to stay connected to your own needs and feelings, and this can be especially important in couples therapy. By prioritizing self-care, you and your partner can ensure that you are taking care of yourself and your own well-being, which can in turn improve the overall health of your relationship.
It helps you maintain balance: Couples therapy can be intense, and it's important to have a healthy balance of activities in your life to ensure that you are not overwhelmed. Engaging in self-care activities can help you and your partner maintain a sense of balance and keep things in perspective.
It helps you set boundaries: Setting boundaries is an important aspect of self-care, and it's something that couples therapy can help you and your partner work on. By setting and maintaining healthy boundaries, you both can ensure that you are taking care of yourselves and not becoming overwhelmed by the demands of your relationship.
Here are some additional ideas on how self-care and boundary-setting can be important in couples therapy:
Understanding your own needs: One of the key aspects of setting boundaries is understanding your own needs and limits. Self-care can help you both become more attuned to your own needs and feelings, and better able to communicate these to your partner.
Communicating effectively: Setting boundaries involves communicating your needs and limits to your partner in a clear and assertive way. Couples therapy can help you and your partner learn how to communicate effectively and express your needs in a healthy and non-confrontational way.
Respecting each other's boundaries: It's important for both partners in a relationship to respect each other's boundaries and needs. Couples therapy can help you both learn how to respect each other's boundaries and create a sense of mutual understanding and support.
Balancing individuality and connection: Setting boundaries is an important way to balance individuality and connection within a relationship. Couples therapy can help each of you find the right balance and create a healthy, supportive relationship.
Improving overall relationship happiness: Setting boundaries and practicing self-care can improve overall relationship satisfaction by creating a sense of mutual respect and understanding. Couples therapy can help you and your partner work on these skills and create a more fulfilling and happier relationship.
Sound like something you are willing to try with your partner? Woven has a few options for those looking for more support in their relationship. The first is couples therapy. We have multiple therapists on staff trained in couples therapy, and our therapist matchmaker is happy to help you find the best fit.
Our second option is for couples looking for a more intensive therapy experience. Have you experienced trauma or betrayal within your relationship? Are you engaged to be married and want help discussing the hard parts of all relationships? Are you struggling to co-parent with your partner because you see child rearing differently? If so, couples intensives might be for you. Learn more below.