The goal of relationship counseling is to help a dyad or group of individuals overcome difficulties and increase happiness and satisfaction within their relationship. Relationship counseling sessions are approximately 50 to 55 minutes long. At times, the clinician will meet with each person individually. However, many sessions involve both (or all) individuals being present together.

The clinician will work collaboratively with the dyad or group to assess best paths forward. At times, the clinician may assign “experiments” for the individuals to continue after and in-between sessions in order to enhance what is learned and discussed in therapy. These “experiments” allow the individuals within the relationship to try new ways of interacting without the fear of failure or disappointment. No matter what the result with an experiment, it allows the therapeutic team to learn more about what works in the relationship and what does not. The individuals can then optimize what is working in their relationship and fine-tune what is not.