Talking Therapies : Couples therapy for depression
Overview
Relationships are important to our overall wellbeing, and depression can make us feel alone, guilty, or worthless and this can damage even the closest relationships.
Couples therapy for depression helps you to understand yourself and your partner better.
It can help you both look at the causes of depression, and the distress it causes, while regaining a feeling of closeness.
Couples therapy offers a safe and confidential place where you can explore your feelings with the help of a trained professional.
It can help you:
- understand how depression affects your relationship
- realise your emotional and practical needs
- express what makes your relationship less satisfying than it could be
- recover from depression
- break patterns of behaviours that cause conflict
- see how feelings of anxiety and stress relate to your relationship and family life
- adjust to life changes, such children, bereavement, or separation
- be more confident about the future
- build a better sense of closeness with your partner
- improve your sexual relationship
- improve your communication
What treatment involves
A stronger relationship
The aim is to help you work together and build a stronger relationship.
You can improve your mood and wellbeing, avoid damaging patterns, and create a more stable family life.
Guidance through therapy
With your therapist, you will both work on the issues troubling your relationship.
Your therapist will not take sides, though it may sometimes feel like it.
They will make links between what you expect from a relationship, such as how you were brought up, and build on the strengths that you already have as a couple.
They will not usually give you advice or tell you how to feel or what to do. Their role is to guide you to find your own solutions to your challenges.
Sessions
Most people will receive 15 to 20 treatment sessions. These usually last up to 50 minutes.
Our therapy is only available by online video call, or face-to-face at one of our locations.
We do not offer this treatment by phone call.
Access treatment
To access this therapy you need to complete a wellbeing assessment with NHS Berkshire Talking Therapies, and be offered this treatment by one of our therapists. You may be offered a different treatment if we find another therapy or service is better suited to your needs.
You can refer yourself to NHS Berkshire Talking Therapies for a wellbeing assessment by completing our online form.
Only the person who is living with symptoms of depression should refer themselves to NHS Talking Therapies.
You can also ask your GP or health professional to refer you.
If your assessment shows that couples therapy could be helpful, we will invite your partner to attend a wellbeing assessment too, before you meet your couples therapist.
Prepare for treatment
There are things you can do to get the most of your treatment sessions with us.
For in-person and online sessions
Please remember to:
- attend all sessions, on time
- be open and honest about your problems
- make your treatment aims as clear as possible, as working towards a goal can help boost your confidence
- be active in your sessions, by asking questions to learn more about terms we use, and what happens next
- take your own notes and read them afterwards, to help you remember what we’ve discussed and what you need to do next
- keep your notes and sheets organised in a notebook
- allow yourself time after each session to gather your thoughts
- complete any tasks between sessions, as agreed with your therapist
- plan time each week to complete any activities we’ve suggested for you
If you're attending your sessions by video call, you will need to have:
Online sessions
Please make sure:
- you have regular access to the internet, including sound, on a phone, tablet or laptop that can play video; and
- you have a a private space to take the call without interruptions or distractions, such as care-giving or driving
- you have your reading glasses, and any hearing devices ready
Frequently asked questions
Who delivers counselling for depression sessions?
You will see a therapist who is trained in couples therapy for depression and accredited with a recognised UK professional body, such as:
- Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
- British Association of Psychotherapy and Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
- UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
- British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP)
This includes trainees working towards their postgraduate certificate.
Will I have to talk about my childhood or past events?
It may be relevant to talk about your past, if it is having an impact on how well you are managing your symptoms of depression.
If you're either avoiding thinking about the past, thinking negatively, or too much about past events, it can be helpful to look at this but it isn’t always necessary.
More about Talking Therapies
You can find more FAQs about Talking Therapies on our service page.
Staying well after your treatment
At the end of your treatment, you can join our Support Hope and Recovery Resources Online Network (SHaRON).
This is our secure online space for you to connect with others who are on a similar treatment journey and help you maintain the gains made during therapy and stay well.
When you log in, you’ll be able to find support resources such as forums, videos and blogs.
During office hours, you can also use The Wall to talk to peers and to our moderating team, which includes experienced clinicians, former patients, and volunteers, who can provide real-time commentary and support.
It can also be used by relatives and carers who are supporting a friend or relative with their needs.
Ask your therapist to help you get started.