Can a Chicago Couples Therapist Really Save My Relationship?
Many couples who come to therapy in Chicago ask themselves if therapy can actually turn things around or if it’s “too late.”
While it’s not a couples therapist’s job to decide if a relationship is over, we can definitely help you determine your next steps, and guide you through a process of strengthening communication or repairing trust.
Remember, relationship struggles are common, not a sign of failure.
In fact, many couples we work with in therapy are smart, independent people who love their partner and are feeling stuck trying to improve their relationship.
A Chicago couples therapist can’t “magically” fix everything, but therapy provides proven tools to rebuild trust, intimacy, and communication. In this blog, we will explore what couples therapy is, how it works, and whether it can save your relationship.
What Does a Couples Therapist in Chicago Actually Do?
Couples therapy is a safe, structured space to explore challenges. A couples therapist will help track patterns, try to introduce new skills and create space to validate and challenge each partner.
Going to relationship therapy is different from individual therapy because the focus is on the relationship and not on one person entirely. Couples therapists often use evidence-based approaches such as Emotionally Focused Therapy, Gottman Method, and CBT to guide the process.
Can Couples Therapy Really Save a Relationship?
Saving a relationship does not just mean preventing a breakup, but fostering healthier connection. Therapy can be transformational for couples who are stuck in unhelpful patterns and unsure where or what to do next.
A great deal of success in therapy depends on each partners’ willingness to engage both inside and outside the therapy room. Therapists may give homework assignments or introduce skills for couples to practice outside of session. Couples who engage in their homework outside of session tend to experience more progress than those who do not.
Therapy can lead to stronger relationships or it may lead to a healthier decision to part ways.
Signs You and Your Partner Might Benefit from Seeing a Chicago Couples Therapist
You may benefit from relationship therapy if you and your partner are experiencing:
Constant fighting or silent distance
Lack of intimacy or sex
Betrayal or broken trust
Big life transitions (kids, career changes, moving)
Feeling more like roommates than partners
It’s important to remember that seeking help early prevents deeper rifts. Couples who are more proactive and go to therapy sooner generally experience greater progress than those who wait until the problem has festered for a long time.
What Happens in a Typical Couples Therapy Session?
The first few therapy sessions are usually focused on assessment and history. This is also an opportunity to decipher if your therapist is a good fit for you.
As you proceed in the work, you might work on practicing new communication skills, exploring emotional needs, repairing ruptures.
Remember, couples therapists are guides, not referees. They are not meant to be a judge and take sides.
It’s also reasonable to expect homework between sessions. This helps couples stay accountable to their goals and work on improving outside of therapy.
It’s normal to feel some discomfort during therapy, especially early on. This is usually a sign of growth.
How to Choose the Right Chicago Couples Therapist for You
First, look for credentials for example a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Sex Therapist if intimacy issues are central. Not all mental health therapists are trained to work with couples or to support clients with intimacy concerns, so it’s a wise idea to ask them about their training before getting started.
Consider the provider’s specialization such as infidelity, sex therapy, parenting, trauma, or neurodivergence.
Remember, finding a therapist that is a good fit is super important. Therapy is more effective when both partners feel comfortable. It might not feel super easy at first, but it will get better in time.
Consider the practical features such as location (downtown vs suburbs), telehealth options, and insurance/fees. Many experienced couples therapists are out of network or do not take insurance, but they may provide you with a statement (a superbill) that you can submit to your health insurance provider for reimbursement.
The Limitations of Couples Therapy
Therapy isn’t about “fixing” one partner, it’s about growing as a team. Most couples therapists consider the relationship as their client.
Couples therapy won’t work if one partner is unwilling or dishonest. It’s also not recommended for partners who are actively involved in domestic violence or are experiencing ongoing trauma.
Therapy can take time. Some people will go for 10-20 sessions over the course of three to six months to really see a benefit. It’s best to talk with your therapist about how they approach therapy and what the expected duration will be.
Occasionally therapy leads partners to discover that ending their relationship is the healthiest decision.
What Success in Couples Therapy Looks Like
Success in couples therapy will vary based on your specific goals. Common ways you’ll know therapy is working may include:
Better communication and conflict management
Renewed emotional and sexual intimacy
Stronger teamwork for shared goals
Feeling seen and understood, even if you don’t agree on everything
TLDR
Couples therapy isn’t a quick fix, but it offers real hope. Many partners feel tremendous relief even after the first session because they finally have a space to hold them accountable to their goals.
A Chicago couples therapist can guide you toward healing, growth, and clarity, whether that means saving your relationship or redefining it. You can choose what you want to work on in therapy and make the experience specific to your relationship.
If you’re interested in strengthening your relationship, reach out to a Chicago couples therapist at Embrace Sexual Wellness to explore how therapy can help.
