Relational · Treatment guide
Couples Distress
Negative cycles, contempt, withdrawal, or attachment injuries between partners.
In this guide
Overview
Two strongly evidence-based approaches dominate couples therapy. They are largely complementary — EFT goes deeper into attachment emotion, Gottman provides structured assessment and skill-building.
First-line treatments
- EFT — Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples
Attachment-based; restructures the negative cycle and creates new bonding events.
- Gottman — Gottman Method Couples Therapy
Research-based assessment + skills for friendship, conflict, and shared meaning.
Also consider
Cautions
- Screen for intimate partner violence before starting couples work; conjoint therapy is contraindicated when active violence is present.
- Active affairs, addiction, or untreated severe mental illness usually need stabilization first.