Couples Therapy Questions

What is couples therapy?

Couples therapy is a type of psychotherapy that helps couples – married or otherwise – to better understand, communicate, and ultimately resolve conflicts in their relationship. By having a couples therapist provide an open and safe space for discussion, couples can gain new insights about themselves and each other, work through complex issues, develop more effective communication skills and strategies, and, as a result, enhance their closeness and overall connection. Through attending couples therapy, individuals can learn how to make their relationships stronger and healthier for years to come.

Couples therapy is also an opportunity to deepen the understanding of each other’s needs, identify unmet expectations, and develop a much more solid foundation for the relationship’s future. It can help couples gain better insight into each other’s perspectives while also helping them learn to be open-minded and accepting of each other’s differences.

Part of the work in couples therapy is for the therapist to ask couples counseling questions that help partners explore their thoughts and feelings. Questions may be about their relationship history, relationship challenges, mental health concerns, sex life, or any problematic areas within their relationship. These couple therapy questions can make a positive change within a relationship, help couples better understand themselves and each other, and develop more effective communication methods.

How does marriage counseling differ from couples therapy?

Marriage counseling is a form of psychotherapy that helps couples strengthen and improve their marriage. During sessions, a marriage counselor invites married couples to discuss issues and explore solutions in an open, non-judgmental environment. Marriage counselors help couples build trust, restore respect, and create healthier communication patterns through therapy.

Marriage counseling uses evidence-based techniques to address common relationship problems such as poor communication, infidelity, and trust issues. One such evidence-based technique is emotionally focused couple therapy (EFT), which has increased relationship satisfaction and attachment. Marriage counseling sessions are meant for couples to work through complex topics. Marriage counseling questions are then more focused on parenting styles, financial problems, and differences in opinion.

How does it work?

We have designed a free printable Couples Therapy Questions template with 15 comprehensive questions so you can better understand couples during their sessions. This template can be used as a starting point to help you gain insight into your client's relationship and allow them to discuss their issues in more detail. Here's how to get started:

Step 1: Download the worksheet

Access the free Printable Therapy Questions for Couples template using the link on this page or from the Carepatron app. You can also get this from our resources library.

Step 2: Print or store it

Once you have downloaded the template, print it out or save it to your device. It's important that you have a physical or digital copy of the sheet so that you can refer to it during sessions.

Step 3: Use the template during the initial sessions

Once you are with the couple, ask them the questions provided on the template, ensuring that one partner at a time is allowed to share their perspective. Encourage them both to be open and honest. This will help you better understand their relationship dynamics and how they can work together to improve it.

Step 4: Follow up

Follow up with the couple after each session to track their progress. Ask them how they've been applying what you discussed in therapy, and ensure they are meeting their goals.

When to use this template?

Mental health professionals, such as therapists, case managers, social workers, and a licensed marriage counselor or a family therapist associate, can use the Couples Therapy Questions template during the initial session with the couple and throughout the therapy process.

It is important for the couple to refer to this template and track their progress during each session. This will ensure the couple is on the right track and progressing toward improving their relationship.

Similarly, you can use this worksheet to:

Understand how each partner handles conflict

This template can help practitioners understand how romantic partners express their feelings during disagreements and assess how they handle conflict. By doing so, you can help the couple manage their dispute constructively and work toward resolution. This also includes them being on the same page regarding a couples therapy session.

Discover any underlying issues that need to be addressed

It is essential to understand the underlying problems in a couple's relationship that may impact their current state. This template will help you identify the root of their issues and create an action plan to help make a relationship healthy.

Identify the couple's strengths, weaknesses, and relationship dynamics

The Couples Therapy Questions template will help you assess the couple’s strengths and weaknesses. This way, you can guide how to leverage their strengths to build a good relationship and address any weaknesses hindering their relationship.

Encourage open communication and honesty

By asking the couples counseling questions in this template, you can encourage open communication and honesty between the couple. This will help them build trust and work together to find solutions that ultimately benefit their relationship toward a healthier connection or a successful marriage.