Many couples experience certain persistent conflicts, such as sexual issues or financial disagreements, that seem to resist resolution. It is not uncommon for a couple that seems comfortable and satisfied in most respects of their relationship to complain of some particular area in which they feel stuck. Typically, in such cases, these seemingly isolated areas of conflict are discovered to be more pervasive or complex than originally perceived. Sexual issues, for instance, may be tied to longstanding tensions regarding male and female roles, financial matters or in-laws. By the same token, if a couple experiences difficulty in communication, for example, those same conflicts may underlie other close interpersonal relationships. Issues with one's employer may parallel issues with one's romantic partner. Power struggles with one's children or parents may mirror conflicts with one's spouse.

When working with a couple, the therapist will often want to meet with each member of the couple individually as well. In such cases, anything shared in a private session remains entirely confidential—even when this information may be relevant to one's partner. If one member of the couple shares with the therapist in private that he or she is secretly having an affair, for instance, it is not the therapist's role to reveal this in a couples session or otherwise. In couples counseling especially, practical exercises (or "homework") are often suggested. Exercises to facilitate communication, fairness, intimacy, anger management and so on are common features of couples counseling. When scheduling an initial consultation for couples counseling, two options usually work best. First, the couple can come in for the initial appointment together, then discuss further options with the therapist in moving forward. Second, one member of the couple can come in for an individual session initially, his or her partner following up thereafter. Either strategy works well. It is mostly a matter of how each member of the couple feels about that relationship, and couples counseling in particular.

Dallas Whole Life Counseling appreciates that certain cultural and religious practices significantly affect the couple's approach to counseling. If you have concerns in this context, please let us know when you contact us. If you would like to work with a Christian counselor, for example—of if you would specifically not like to—let us know and you will be matched appropriately.