Couples Therapy in Cherry Hill, NJ

Relationship counseling to improve communication, rebuild trust, and strengthen connection

Couples therapy is a structured conversation guided by a trained mental health professional focused on improving the relationship rather than assigning blame. Sessions help partners understand patterns that keep conflicts repeating and develop practical ways to communicate, repair disagreements, and feel understood again.

At Eastern Psychiatric, couples therapy is collaborative and solution-focused. The goal is not to determine who is right, but to help both partners work as a team against the problem instead of against each other.

Many couples seek therapy during periods of frequent arguments, emotional distance, or major life transitions. Others begin when communication has broken down or when the relationship feels stuck in the same conversations without resolution. Therapy is also commonly used preventively to strengthen a relationship before problems escalate. Couples often come to counseling because discussions quickly turn into arguments, one partner withdraws while the other pursues, trust has been damaged, or stress from work, parenting, or health concerns affects the relationship. Sometimes there has been a specific event such as infidelity or betrayal. In other cases, the connection has gradually weakened over time.

Research shows couples therapy improves relationship satisfaction and emotional stability when both partners participate openly. Many partners notice they interrupt less, listen more effectively, and understand each other’s intentions more accurately. Over time disagreements become shorter, less intense, and easier to repair.

Treatment focuses on identifying interaction cycles rather than individual faults. Most couples discover they have predictable patterns, such as one partner seeking reassurance while the other becomes quiet or defensive. Once these patterns are recognized, partners learn how to interrupt them before escalation.

Evidence-based approaches are used and tailored to the relationship’s needs.

Emotionally Focused Therapy helps partners understand the emotional meaning beneath arguments. Instead of focusing only on the surface disagreement, the therapy addresses fear of rejection, disconnection, or criticism that drives conflict. Couples learn how to express needs in ways that invite closeness rather than defensiveness.

Cognitive Behavioral Couples Therapy focuses on communication and problem-solving skills. Partners learn structured ways to discuss concerns, reduce misinterpretations, and create agreements that are realistic and specific. This approach is particularly helpful for recurring practical disagreements such as finances, parenting responsibilities, or household expectations.

Gottman-informed interventions focus on strengthening friendship and respect within the relationship. Partners learn how to repair conflict quickly, reduce criticism and defensiveness, and increase positive interactions that stabilize the relationship over time.

When trust has been damaged, therapy focuses on rebuilding predictability and emotional safety. This process occurs gradually and involves transparency, accountability, and consistent communication so the relationship can stabilize before deeper repair occurs.

Sessions typically last about fifty minutes. Early sessions focus on understanding the relationship history and current concerns so treatment goals can be agreed upon together. Some couples attend short-term therapy to address a specific issue, while others continue longer to improve long-standing communication patterns.

Couples therapy does not require the relationship to be near separation. Many partners attend to strengthen communication, prepare for marriage, adjust to parenting, or navigate life transitions together.

Relationship difficulties often affect sleep, mood, concentration, and daily functioning. Improving the relationship frequently improves emotional well-being for both partners individually as well.

If you and your partner feel stuck in repeating arguments, emotional distance, or unresolved tension, structured guidance can help you understand the pattern and change it.

Request an appointment to begin couples therapy.

Call 856-830-5413