As we navigate the delicate waters of couples counseling, communication serves as the anchor that keeps us steady. At THCC, our Couples Counseling pledge is to guide you in deepening understanding, strengthening connection, fostering meaningful dialogue, and improving communication in your relationship.

Before we set sail, please take a moment to review the ship’s guidelines—ensuring a smooth and supportive voyage toward stronger communication. Thank you for embarking on this journey with us. May this cruise lead you to a more fulfilling and harmonious relationship!

Couples Counseling Etiquette is simply about respecting your partner boundaries

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1. Session Start: Couples Counseling Sessions begin once both partners have arrived, unless it's an individual counseling session

2. Emotional Grounding: Partners should try to ground themselves during the couples counseling session, as emotions may run high.( anger outburst are unacceptable and considered as verbal abuse). 

3. Use "I" Statements: Clients should use "I" statements and avoid blaming, fault-finding, excuses, or justifying their contributions to incidents.

4. Listen Without Interrupting: Allow others to speak by listening without interrupting.

5. Equal Speaking Time: It may seem like one partner talks more, but everyone will get equal speaking time.

6.  No Negative Behavior: No name-calling, put-downs, threats, or intimidation during the couples counseling session. 

7. Confidentiality: Couples Counseling Sessions are strictly confidential. However, anything discussed in an individual session can be brought up in a joint session. 

8. Safety Focus: If the emotional or physical safety of children or partners is in question, that will be the focus of the session.

9. Respect Privacy: Using conversations from counseling sessions as ammunition in later arguments is harmful. 

10. Post-Session Projects: Guided post-session projects enhance your experience. Complete assignments before the next couples counseling session. 

11. Take Responsibility:

    • Assume responsibility for your contributions without nagging, excuses, or blaming. 

    • Genuinely apologize when needed.

    • Work on what you can do to make amends or restitution where appropriate. 

12.  Avoid Obsessing: 

    • Avoid ruminating, building up anger, or feeling sorry for yourself.

    • Take responsibility that obsessing does nothing to solve the problem.

    • Ruminating contributes to anger, resentment, rage, and self-pity. 

    • Instead of blaming, invite and encourage your partner to resolve issues together. 

13. Share Your Willingness: Share what you’re willing to do to improve the situation, not what your partner isn’t doing. 

14. Ask for Needs: 

    • Avoid assuming your partner should know your needs. 

    • Ask positively and specifically for what you need or want—accept if your partner is not willing or ready to help at this time. 

    • Respect your partner’s feelings and emotions in the moment.

15.  Partner’s Needs:

    • Find out what your partner needs to work on your requests. 

    • Express sincerely what you can do to help your partner. 

    • If unable to help, state this without blaming, sarcasm, or defensive criticism.

    • Ask assertively, with respect and consideration for your partner.

16.     Appreciate Efforts: 

    • Express appreciation for your partner’s efforts sincerely.

    • Avoid sabotaging acknowledgment with yes-buts, sarcasm, or digs about past behaviors.