Marriage and Couples Counseling Serving Billings

Conflict is a normal and necessary part of every relationship. However, in many cases, unresolved conflicts can not only leave both partners frustrated, but can cause hurt, resentment and, ultimately, great division in the relationship. Marriage counseling serving Billings and across MT can help couples resolve their issues in healthy and positive ways.

The Gottman Institute research has proven that relationship issues like the following are completely treatable and preventable. 

Communication issues can result in multiple misunderstandings. Without clarification, communication problems can compound, pulling apart a couple who may once have been very close.

Infidelity can obliterate trust and respect in any relationship, causing both partners to question whether they can or will ever find their way back to one another. 

When spouses are in the throes of these relationship issues, it can seem like there are no solutions in sight. But when that same couple sees Gottman trained marriage specialists serving Billings and across MT for marriage and couples counseling, significant breakthroughs and renewed commitment can be the result.

Serving partners across the beautiful state of Montana, Aletheia Marriage Counseling facilitates understanding, restores intimacy, and improves the health of relationships.

Some therapists serving Billings, MT employ the Gottman Method in couples therapy. This method is based on years of observation of the way couples communicate and interact with one another. From this observation, several theories and interventions were developed. Together, they form the Gottman Method.

Only certified counselors can fully employ the Gottman Method. Certification requires completing workshops, study programs, advanced training, and consultation sessions with a certified counselor. There are only two fully certified Gottman therapists in Montana. The earliest of these was Jim Ramsey, who established Aletheia Marriage Counseling in 1979 and is still going strong today.

When it comes to resolving relationship conflicts, there is no “one size fits all” solution. At Aletheia Marriage Counseling, we recognize that every couple has their own unique set of challenges. That’s why we offer a range of options for partners to choose from.

The goal of professional counseling is a stronger bond through learning how to improve communication skills. This option can benefit partners experiencing a wide range of relationship circumstances such as:

• Co-parenting with an ex-spouse
• Soon-to-be engaged or married
• Processing a divorce or separation
• Experiencing infidelity 

The approach used serving Billings and across MT by Aletheia Marriage Counseling is based on the Gottman Method. The goal of our fully certified Gottman Therapist is to provide partners with tools and skills they can apply immediately for relationship improvement, and intervene when necessary to help them stay on track with achieving their goals.

Couples group therapy is ideal for couples who prefer to receive therapy with other couples. Led by a counselor with over four decades of experience, our group therapy option allows couples to learn about the struggles and goals of other couples, and work on resolving issues and reaching their goals together.

Some of the benefits of couples group therapy include:

• Sharing relationship struggles with other couples who can relate
• The ability to discuss results and insights of relationship work at home with other couples
• Short 90-minute sessions
• Low cost 
• Building long term relationships with other couples

Couples group therapy offers a confidential space where spouses can be open and honest.

Intensive marriage counseling takes place over a three day weekend at Placid Lake in The Seeley Swan Valley. It follows an initial session with both partners together and followed by a single session with each individual partner In these three initial sessions the therapist gains an overview of the dynamics of the relationship and their feelings based upon their perceptions. At that point, the Gottman Therapist has the couple take The Gottman Couples Checkup online to learn about the specific dysfunctional behaviors and patterns that are occurring in the relationship. With all of this information, the therapist can set up a clear and sensible treatment plan to transform the dynamics of the relationship.

The actual private intensive marriage counseling weekend is relaxing, non threatening  and extremely effective.

Why couples favor this approach?  

• They want to identify and work on resolving issues as soon as possible
• They make significant changes in a short amount of time
• They want to minimize frustrations, expenses and travel time

Our Aletheia marriage specialist helps partners to get to the heart of their issues and realize significant shifts in a condensed period of time.

The Gottman Method of therapy benefits spouses via the use of the Relationship Checkup. The checkup provides partners with clear insights into their relationship, and suggests proven interventions for strengthening their partnership.

This method was borne out of decades of study of the way partners interact. It identifies damaging behaviors and reveals ways that committed spouses can strengthen their bond. 

A looming couples counseling session can bring up some strong emotions. But there are many things that spouses can do to ensure they’re prepared.

Conversing about what you both want to achieve from couples counseling and agreeing on these goals can help to calm any anxiety. You can identify goals by asking questions about how you wish to grow, how you currently manage conflict and what might make that easier, and whether you feel you listen to one another or not.

Many spouses think a single session will instantly fix the issues they’re having. Others see therapists as a “cure-all” for relationship problems. Neither of these assumptions is realistic. The length of time that any couple will receive counseling depends on the couple, the issues they’re having, and how long the issues have existed, to name a very few.

In the same vein, seeing a therapist won’t magically fix what’s wrong; successful partners counseling involves seeing a therapist and actively participating. Both spouses must do the work required to overcome issues in the relationship; there are no shortcuts.

Couples counseling only works if both partners are committed to correcting the issues and creating a healthier and more joyful relationship. They must be willing to stay the course and do what’s needed, for as long as it’s needed.

If you’re having relationship problems that you are ready to resolve, couples counseling from Aletheia can help. You can send a direct message to Jim Ramsey, or call (406) 251-7073.