Couples Therapy Intake Form

What is a Couples Therapy Intake Form?

Couples therapy is a form of psychological counseling specifically designed to help partners in a romantic relationship gain insight into their relationship, resolve conflict, and improve relationship satisfaction utilizing various therapeutic interventions. Couples may seek therapy for a myriad of reasons, ranging from minor disagreements and communication difficulties to significant challenges such as infidelity, financial disputes, or differences in parenting styles.

The decision to attend counseling, especially during a difficult time in a relationship or marriage, is a proactive step toward understanding and addressing the underlying issues that may be causing distress or dissatisfaction within the relationship.

A Couples Therapy Intake Form helps you gather essential information about both partners before beginning the therapeutic process. This form typically includes sections for personal background, relationship history, current issues or concerns, and each partner's goals for attending therapy. It's one of the first forms couples complete and submit before their initial appointment, serving as a foundational tool for the counseling journey ahead.

How does our Couples Therapy Intake Form work?

Using the Couples Therapy Intake Form template involves a few straightforward steps that you should follow to ensure the success of the counseling process.

Step 1: Download the intake form

Click " Use template " on this page to open the Couples Therapy Intake Form in the Carepatron app's template editor. You can then customize the template before printing or sending it out to clients. You can also get a ready-to-use PDF by clicking "Download."

Step 2: Have the client complete the form

Ask your clients to fill out all sections of the intake form as thoroughly as possible. Ensure they provide detailed responses to questions about their relationship, previous counseling experiences, and personal concerns. This will give you valuable insights and context into their challenges and goals for therapy.

Step 3: Review the completed form

After receiving the completed intake form, carefully review the answers to identify key issues and concerns in general. Pay special attention to the relationship status, past counseling experiences, and top concerns. This written information will help you tailor your approach during the first session and beyond.

Step 4: Discuss the form in the first session

During the first therapy session, discuss the answers from the intake form with the client(s). Focus on their goals for therapy, any challenges they've already faced, and their willingness to prioritize the relationship. This is also an opportunity to establish a therapeutic relationship and set expectations for the counseling process.

When do therapists use Couples Therapy Intake Form PDF?

Couples Therapy Intake Forms are a fundamental part of the counseling process, designed to gather essential information before starting therapy sessions. Therapists typically issue these forms to couples at crucial junctures in their therapy journey. These are some situations when a therapist might use this form:

Initial consultation

Often, therapists provide the Couples Therapy Intake Form at the very beginning of the therapeutic relationship, even before the first session. This allows therapists to gather basic information and understand the primary concerns that bring the couple to therapy. It's a preparatory step ensuring the therapist can effectively tailor the initial discussions to address the couple's needs.

Renewed therapy after a break

Couples who have previously attended therapy sessions and decide to return after a significant break may be asked to fill out the intake form again. This is particularly important if there have been substantial changes in their relationship dynamics and personal lives or if new issues such as neglect or communication breakdowns have emerged. Updating the information helps the therapist recalibrate their approach to reflect the current state of the relationship.

Considering major life changes

Therapists may also request couples to complete or update their intake form when considering major life decisions that could impact their relationship, such as starting a family, moving to a new location, or facing divorce. The form helps therapists understand the couple's current mindset, challenges, and goals in these scenarios, allowing for more focused and relevant counseling sessions to navigate these significant transitions.

Benefits of using our couples intake form

The intake form facilitates a deeper understanding even before the first meeting, setting the stage for a more focused and productive counseling journey. Here are three key benefits of using this form:

Enhances session efficiency

By collecting detailed information about each partner's background and the couple's relationship history in advance, therapists can hit the ground running from the very first session. This preparation allows more time to be spent discussing the issues rather than gathering basic information.

Facilitates open communication

Filling out the intake form can encourage partners to think critically about their relationship, concerns, and what they desire to achieve through counseling. This process can prompt discussions between partners before they attend their first appointment, fostering an environment of openness and readiness to engage in the therapeutic process.

Helps tailor therapy to the couple's needs

The comprehensive information provided through the intake form allows you to customize your approach to suit each couple's specific needs and backgrounds. Understanding the unique dynamics at play, including any specific challenges or goals the couple has, enables you to propose interventions and strategies that are most likely to resonate and be effective for that particular couple.