9 Best Couples Therapy Techniques to Try in 2026

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Sylvia Smith, Author

Sylvia Smith

Expertise: Relationships advice, Pre-marriage and general

Sylvia Smith shares insights on love revitalization and conscious living. She believes purposeful actions can transform relationships into happier, healthier ones.

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Updated: 4 Jan, 2024

Table of Contents

Find a good marriage counselor you both trust, because the right match creates safety for healing and deeper closeness.
Explore different therapy approaches that fit your values and emotions, so you can strengthen your bond and feel truly seen.
Practice ongoing, compassionate communication as a couple, because steady honesty and empathy deepen trust and help you rewrite your shared story.

When you hear the words “couples counseling,” or “couples therapy techniques” what is the first thing that comes to mind? Perhaps you envision a couple at odds with each other, sitting on a couch talking to a marriage counselor.

That may be what marriage counseling typically looks like, but did you know that there are several different techniques?

The number one thing you should do when considering counseling for couples is to find a good marriage counselor.

Each marriage counselor is different, the type of counseling technique is different, and each marriage is different, so finding a match is important.

A good marriage counselor will have experience in helping couples through their issues, and they will know the different techniques or methods that can be used effectively.

There are many different types of couples therapy techniques/methods/approaches. Learning about each of them that can be beneficial as you go through couples therapy.

Here are some different types of couples therapy and types of marriage counseling techniques:

1. Emotionally focused couples therapy techniques

This therapy technique was developed by Dr. Susan Johnson and Les Greenberg. As the name indicates, emotions play a key role here.

It is quite effective and is used all over the world. It is especially helpful if depression is part of the issue of the relationship.

The method uses the attachment theory, or idea that as humans we want to be bonded together. But issues can arise and cycle into negativity.

This type of couples therapy technique<span style=”font-weight: 400;”> helps couples overcome those negative emotions and strengthen their bond.

2. Positive psychology therapy for couples

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Along the vein of emotions, this couples therapy technique focuses on positive feelings. Really, for some, it is a big change in perspective, which then can change thoughts and behaviors, which can then improve the relationship.

In positive psychology, you learn to enjoy happiness as it happens and focus on joy at the moment. This helps couples to realize the happy times they do have currently, and then they can build on that.

Writing in a journal and sharing it with the therapist is an important aspect of this method.

3. The Gottman method

With 30 years behind it, many believe it has proven itself as an effective couples counseling technique. If you and your spouse feel really stuck and can’t seem to agree, this may be a good method for your relationship.

This couples therapy technique helps you understand each other as you communicate calmly.

It utilizes something called “love maps” which is something you build. It helps you both learn about each other as you discover the things that stress them, make them happy, etc.

Overall, the Gottman method focuses on conflict management, with honesty at the heart of it.

4. Religion-based marriage and couples counseling

If you are part of a religious group, see what kinds of counseling is available through your church. Since your religion is a big factor in your marriage, this type of counseling could prove helpful for you.

You may also feel more comfortable in this type of setting, which can help set the stage for healing.

Methods vary, but typically religious-based therapy for couples calls upon spiritual aspects that you probably already believe and live in order to help you work through issues.

different types of couples therapy

5. Individual counseling

If one of the spouses isn’t able or willing to do couples therapy, then the willing and able partner should definitely consider going for it alone. A therapist can help one partner work through issues on their end.

Obviously, if the other person is unwilling to work through the issue, then the relationship may not be able to move forward.

However, in the process of some going to individual counseling, sometimes the other spouse slowly warms to the idea and then later joins their spouse for couples therapy.

6. Narrative therapy

Narrative means story, and actually that is part of this method of couples therapy. You will tell the story and create the “narrative” of what is happening. But then, you will work together to rewrite the unpleasant parts of the story.

The nice thing about this couple’s therapy technique is it helps the couple separate themselves from the story, recognizing that the story doesn’t define you as people.

It also teaches that the story is changeable. You both can rewrite your future story together.

7. Imago relationship therapy

Developed by Harville Hendrix and Helen Lakelly Hunt, this type of therapy focuses a lot on spiritual and behavioral aspects.

Imago is the Latin word for “image,” and this type of therapy tries to help couples realize how their brains work and see the unconscious ways they live.

Basically, this couples therapy technique says that we choose partners who can heal what is lacking from our childhood, and those wounds will be repeated with our spouse.

In this couples therapy technique, couples learn to work together and communicate through issues.

8. Psychodynamic approach

This type of therapy is especially helpful when partners react in irrational patterns, which are believed to be born of life events and experiences in childhood.

For example, if abuse was part of a person’s past, they can lead to jealousy even if there is no reason for it.

In this type of therapy, a counselor will help you focus on the root of the issue, which is sometimes unconscious and is an individual or couple problem.

They will then help you realize a more realistic view of past events that are shaping current behaviors.

9. Discernment counseling

Developed by Bill Doherty, at the University of Minnesota, this type of counseling is especially for couples where one spouse is leaning towards divorce and the other is not.

This couples therapy technique helps them figure out what each person wants, and if the relationship is salvageable. Rather than solving the issues, it looks at whether solving is actually possible. It is typically a short term method.

Marriage therapy is a good option for those couples looking to work out their differences with the help of a trained counselor.

There are many different couples therapy techniques, approaches, and the method will depend on the marriage counselor as well as the issues happening in the couple’s relationship.

That’s why it’s always important to choose a good marriage counselor you both feel comfortable with and can trust.

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Sylvia Smith Author

Sylvia Smith loves to share insights on how couples can revitalize their love lives in and out of the bedroom. As a writer at Marriage.com, she is a big believer in living consciously and encourages couples to adopt this principle... Read more in their lives too. Sylvia believes that every couple can transform their relationship into a happier, healthier one by taking purposeful and wholehearted action. Read less