Disclaimer: This article is meant to provide general information. For advice related to your specific situation, please consult a doctor or therapist. See our disclosure here.
The Covid-19 pandemic has changed lives in many ways, with relationships being the most affected.
All over the world, couples suddenly find themselves at home due to the quarantine and social distancing rules set by their governments.
This new phenomenon can raise anxiety, stress, and depression levels considerably. To top it off, couples must adjust their relationships as they’re bound together 24-7.
This combination can be explosive, so if you and your partner are going through relationship problems that are only exacerbated by corona, it’s time to seek help.
Relationship dangers of forced quarantine
If you’re a couple affected by Covid-19, you may be worried about the effects of the pandemic.
You may be worried if you’re going to make it through economically, eat into your savings to handle routine living expenses or struggle to cater to your children.
All these worries can ramp up your anxiety and stress levels and may drive you to consider taking it out on your partner.
Emotionally-focused couples’ therapy can help individuals keep anxiety, stress, and depression at bay and help them get through this difficult time.
How to get couples therapists
The current Coronavirus pandemic is a difficult time for couples looking for therapists for the first time.
The problem is compounded by the fact that in-person therapy is not available at this time.
The solution? Online couples therapy.
Many in-person couples therapists have started offering online services to ensure they help struggling couples in the comfort of their homes.
Some services and therapists even provide free therapy as an introductory offer.
With many learning that online therapy is effective, more in-person couple therapists and clinicians are jumping on the bandwagon.
Thankfully, it’s now easier for new couples to find couples therapists online.
Advantages of online couples therapy
Convenience and safety
With online therapy, couples are able to attend sessions in the comfort of their homes.
This eliminates the need to attend an in-office session, which could expose them to the Coronavirus.
Enables couples to commit to the therapy sessions
Commitment to therapy sessions is one of the challenges couples face.
This may be due to the scarcity of time caused by the work-from-home status, raising children during quarantine, and busy daily schedules.
Many couples just can’t handle the hassle of traveling to a couples therapist’s office.
Online couples therapy sessions allow couples to commit to the sessions because they don’t have to travel and they can easily schedule time for work-at-home tasks they need to complete.
It’s a lot more comfortable for the couples
Most people don’t have the confidence to talk about their personal issues with other people face-to-face, especially with people they’ve never met before.
Online therapy offers a reprieve for this group of people. While it’s still not easy to open up while at home, the comfort of the home might make it easier.
The success of any couples therapy lies in both parties being open-minded and forthcoming. In other words, acceptance is the first step.
It’s also critical to spell out your individual and couple goals, including your complaints and worries so that you don’t regret why you were not forthcoming during the session.
While the therapy session aims to reduce or eliminate the anxiety, stress, and depression brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, it also aims to discover whether remaining in the relationship makes sense.
