Couples therapy in Barcelona
I am Patricia Maguet, clinical psychologist specializing in couples therapy in Barcelona. I’ve been working for real couples like yours for 30 years. Together with my team we are committed to offering couples who consult us the best tools to help them communicate and understand each other, to enjoy their relationship again and to feel better.
What is couples therapy and what does it consist of?
It consists of a series of sessions, either in person or online, in which both members of the couple, together with the professional, look for ways to face and solve those problems that complicate the relationship. The main objective is to ensure that the relationship is healthy and continues to be a source of support, trust and well-being for both.
When to go to couples therapy?
When to go to couples therapy? I would recommend you to seek for a professional as soon as you notice your relationship is not working anymore, just like when there is something not working around you, you seek the opinion of an expert, the same should happen with your relationship
If there is something between you that is not working, the sooner you seek help, the sooner you can solve it.
In the video I tell you the 3 situations in which we offer couples therapy, but when in doubt, better consult!
The main couple problems that we address in couples therapy in Barcelona
Problemas de comunicación
“We don’t understand each other”, “We don’t seem to speak the same language”, “We have comunicación problems“.
These are some of the most common phrases we hear among couples who consult us. Behind them are many misunderstandings that complicate the day, connection and intimacy. Couples therapy in these cases will help you learn to communicate and manage conflicts so that they bring you together instead of distancing you.
Patricia, los vídeos que compartes con nosotros como parte de la terapia son muy buenos. Yo la verdad que creo que son cosas que nos deberían enseñar ya de pequeños para no tener luego estos problemas. Nos está gustando mucho la ayuda que nos estás prestando. Gracias!
Juanjo
Infidelidad
Infidelity has always been present in our society but nowadays new forms of deception have emerged (through chats, social networks, online pages…) that make this issue even more complex to deal with. The consequences on your relationship can be devastating. Couples therapy can help you to rebuild your confidence and reestablish your relationship.
Jealousy and insecurity in the couple
Are you afraid your partner might cheat on you? Do you need to know who he’s with or what he’s doing at all times? Insecurity and jealousy can appear temporarily as a result of infidelity or a critical period.
But if you find it hard to handle and your need to control your partner is undermining your relationship, it’s time to ask for help.
Frequent discussions
Conflict is part of any human relationship and therefore also part of your relationship with your partner.
If you notice that your differences are growing, that discussions are becoming more frequent and that you are about to or have already crossed some red lines, do not hesitate to seek professional help. It is possible to learn how to handle conflicts in a constructive and less harmful way for both you and your children.
Sexual problems
Do you feel that you and your partner have different rhythms and needs? Has your sex life faded since you’ve been a parent? Do you find it difficult to talk openly about this topic?
Your sex life is exactly what differentiates a friendship from a relationship. Any difference or lack of connection you have in this area is important that it can be resolved so that you don’t feel distant and unsatisfied in your relationship.
Problems with family in law
This is perhaps one of the couple’s problems that is least talked about but that marks some relationships very much. Our family of origin is usually very important. When the relationship between them and our partner not only does not flow but is a source of tension and discomfort the suffering can be enormous.
Disappointments and critical moments in the relationship
Grudge and resentment may also have become a major obstacle between the couple.
The disappointment you may have experienced if your partner has failed you at a time when you needed her, can leave a very difficult mark to erase. Pregnancy, childbirth, child rearing, a serious health problem, economic difficulties… When life puts you to the test and you cannot face it as a team, it is a good idea to ask for help to be able to forgive and move on
Tras el nacimiento de mi primer hijo mi pareja comenzó a tambalear. No sabía si debía separarme o no. He conseguido aprender que cuando uno cambia la actitud, la actitud de la pareja también puede cambiar….para muy bien! Me gusta tu enfoque positivo y componedor, que nada es blanco o negro.
Flor
Doubts about the future of the relationship
If you find yourself at a crossroads where you no longer know if there is a real chance of saving your relationship, it is a good idea to ask for professional help.
We can help you obtain a wider view of the situation, to have a clearer idea of what you should do to recover your relationship. And it will also help you discover if you still have the strength and motivation to make these changes or if it is too late.
Emotional dependence and abuse
Elsewhere on this page I’ve told you about crossing the red lines. If you have come to disrespect, insult or even abuse yourself physically, psychologically or sexually, we strongly recommend that you seek professional help.
Emotional dependence can make it difficult for you to leave the relationship. Or perhaps there are other reasons behind it. But clearly you need to find a way to protect yourself and stop hurting yourself.
Maybe you are asking yourself some of these questions…
What do you do in couples therapy?
I’m sure you’ve seen images of psychological therapy more than once in a movie or on a TV show. They are sequences that often bear little resemblance to what happens in reality.
I don’t use a couch and my first objective is to get to know you better. To do this we will talk about what worries you most at the moment and how you have decided to seek help. It will also be very important to find out what you have tried so far to resolve your differences so that you are clear about what has not worked. With all this information, we will be able to begin to understand what is happening and to start looking for new ways to face it through dialogue, practical proposals, training in new skills…
How can couples therapy help me?
The most ambitious goal of couples therapy is to help you build trust in each other.
That trust that you’ve probably had at other times in your relationship. The trust that will make you feel that your relationship is solid, that you are friends again and that you can enjoy your sexual intimacy
Couples therapy can promote the return of a healthy communication. Making couples talk, seeking understanding instead of conflict is a cornerstone for couples therapy. it can also help recognizing the differences and similarities of you as individuals and regain that trust that allows you to know that you can count on each other, that you have unconditional mutual support. In short, it’s all about overcoming turbulent times to enjoy a healthier and happier relationship.
How do I know if I need couples therapy?
As a general rule, if there are any difficulties between you and you are unable to overcome them yourselves, it is a good time for a consult.
I always like to make the equivalent of visiting a doctor. If you have a pain or discomfort you usually find a way to manage it. If after a few days you don’t make it, you consult a doctor. When you seek help early for a health problem you may find a simpler remedy than if you take months or years to seek for help.
The same is true for couples’ psychologists. Studies tell us that it takes couples an average of 7 years to seek help from the time they start having difficulties. And after all that time, for some it may be too late.
Don’t let this happen to your relationship and consult as soon as possible.
What can I do if my partner doesn’t want to come?
Let me give you some clues that might work for you:
- Try to bring it up in a calm moment and not in the middle of a discussion.
- Propose it not as a threat but as something constructive that you believe can be good for the relationship.
In any case, if your partner does not see clearly and you feel you need help, ask for individual help. It’ll be a good way to get change going
Where to go for couples therapy in Barcelona?
Other Services
Online Couples
Therapy
Individual Couple
Therapy
Family Therapy
Family Mediation
Soy Patricia Maguet, psicóloga clínica experta en relaciones de pareja y relaciones familiares. Trabajo con parejas reales, como la tuya, para ayudarte a encontrar las soluciones que necesitas para volver a disfrutar de tu relación.