Marriage Counseling in Bethesda, MD

It’s no secret that Bethesda is one of the best places in the U.S. to call home. With a high education rate, below-average unemployment rates, low crime rates and a very high median income, it’s no wonder this suburb of Washington, D.C. regularly finds itself on various lists for best places to live. And since over half of its roughly 60,000 residents are married, Bethesda clearly is a great place for married couples to settle down.

What makes Bethesda a great place to live for married couples, specifically? It’s hard to definitively find one reason, but at Well Marriage Center, we’d like to believe a part of their success is because they have access to a lot of high-quality therapy. That’s right: therapy isn’t just for couples that are struggling! Therapy is something everyone should do—young or old, married or single, in Bethesda or anywhere. And when it comes to marriage counseling specifically, Well Marriage provides the best therapy for Bethesda, MD residents and beyond.

If you’re looking to improve relationship communication, strengthen your bond with your partner, resolve conflict, or simply become a better partner yourself, marriage counseling (or couples therapy!) is for you. And if you’re seeking marriage counseling in the Washington, D.C. area, Well Marriage is here. Read about how therapists help couples build their best marriages, and why couples counseling is worth it no matter what kind of relationship you have.

Finding a Therapist in Bethesda, MD

Truthfully, choosing a therapist is a lot like choosing a partner to date: you need to…

• Know what you’re looking for in marriage counseling.
• Find therapists who fit those criteria.
• Have a session with those therapists to see how they work.

It’s important to note that while therapy is a scientific field, it’s also an emotional practice, so certification isn’t the only quality that makes a good fit. Of course, your ideal marriage therapist needs to be accredited. But a therapist also needs to be able to empathize with you and your partner, and work with you in a way that brings out the best in your marriage.

To dive deeper, let’s look at some commonly-asked questions about how to find a therapist:

What type of counselor is best for marriage?

While there are many types of counselors out there, there’s one thing you should always look for in a marriage counselor: certification. The state of Maryland recognizes two types of certification for marriage and family therapists (MFTs): Licensed Graduate Marriage and Family Therapist (LGMFT), and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). Both certifications require passing an exam, continued education, and thousands of hours of prior experience—much of which is supervised. 

When you work with a licensed MFT, you can be sure you’re getting someone who is highly qualified, very educated, and has a lot of experience with a wide range of couples. That’s exactly the kind of therapist you want to work with when improving your marriage, and those are the kinds of therapists we provide at Well Marriage!

What is the most effective type of couples therapy?

Ultimately, this is going to depend on the couple, but various techniques in couples counseling have proven effective. According to Psychology Today, emotionally focused therapy (EFT) is by far the most effective, with 90% of couples significantly improving their relationship and almost 75% no longer fitting the criteria for “relationship distress.” EFT centers emotions and emotional attachment as the core of a healthy relationship, and aims to help couples build emotional connection as well as understanding of their own individual emotions.

Again, though, just because something works “by the numbers” does not necessarily mean it’s the best solution for your marriage. Every relationship is different, and there are a variety of techniques that could prove just as effective—or even more effective—than EFT. The best couples counselors will be familiar with multiple techniques, including EFT, the Gottman Method, Imago Therapy, and many others. That’s exactly what our team at Well Marriage provides, and why we believe our therapists are the best therapists in the Bethesda metro area. In addition to understanding various therapy techniques, we take a strength-based approach to counseling, helping couples build off the great qualities they already share.

Should married couples see the same therapist?

It’s a good idea for them to do so! A therapist can—and often will—have sessions where both partners are present and with each individual partner. Many times, the struggles couples face together stem from interpersonal issues each person brings to the relationship. When a marriage therapist works with couples in both settings, they gain a better contextual understanding of the marriage and everything that plays into it.

Build the Marriage of Your Dreams With Us

Ready to see how wonderful your marriage or relationship can be? Do you live in the Bethesda, MD metro area? Reach out to us at the Well Marriage Center! We believe that no matter what struggles a couple may face, if they’re willing to work together, couples therapy can create a wonderful, fulfilling relationship that stands the test of time. Whether you want to improve communication, work through a difficult time, or simply make your marriage better, we can help you do that—and more. Every relationship can benefit from therapy, and with Well Marriage, those benefits could be better than you ever imagined.

If you’d like to learn more about how marriage therapy works, please reach out to our intake coordinator Melinda to schedule an appointment!