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Has Anything Changed? Addressing the National Shortage of Couples Therapists

Has Anything Changed? Addressing the National Shortage of Couples Therapists

In 2021, Space between counseling posted a blog addressing the national shortage of couple therapists. Did anything change? Are there more couple therapists now? Since the pandemic hit, therapists, counselors, psychologists, and social workers have been seeking to address the concerns and needs of couples with relational concerns. But what happened? Why was the pandemic a catalyst for relational problems? It seems the pandemic, and subsequent shelter-in-place mandates, have served as a catalyst for relational issues and in some way forced couples to spend time with their emotions.

In this blog post, we explore some of the reasons for a shortage in couples therapists, reveal evidence based theoretical orientations for relationship counseling, advise clients on how to search for an ideal fit couples therapist, and provide resources and recommendations for those who are stuck on waiting lists to be seen.

Addressing the National Shortage of Couples Therapists

Addressing the National Shortage of Couples Therapists

Since the pandemic hit, therapists, counselors, psychologists, and social workers have been seeking to address the concerns and needs of couples who have relational concerns. It seems the pandemic, and subsequent shelter-in-place mandates, have served as a catalyst for relational issues. While the increase in demand for therapists may be universal, there is a unique national shortage of couples therapists. While the percentage or raw numbers of therapists who practice couple or relational work is not known, it is important to note that this number is surely considerably lower than the number of practitioners who provide individual counseling.

In this blog post, we explore some of the reasons for a shortage in couples therapists, reveal evidence based theoretical orientations for relationship counseling, advise clients on how to search for an ideal fit couples therapist, and provide resources and recommendations for those who are stuck on waiting lists to be seen.

7 Days to Better Fights

7 Days to Better Fights

One thing we know about relationships, is that all couples fight, but not all couples fight well. This blog was inspired by the 7 Days to Better Fights email series created by Dr. Stan Tatkin and the PACT institute. This post combines the exercises created in the email series and combines it with thoughtful quotes from Dr. Stan Tatkin, in order to help you strengthen your conflict resolution skills with your partner(s).

Your relationship has changed with the years, and so has Valentine's Day (here's why that's totally ok!)

Your relationship has changed with the years, and so has Valentine's Day (here's why that's totally ok!)

The flowers, the cards, the hype, the expectations… As a culture, we’ve put so much pressure on February 14 and the particular - and even peculiar - ways this holiday celebrates love.

 

At the end of 2017, I invited you to sit with your partner and do a “Year in Review.” In that article, I quoted the legendary relationship therapist Esther Perel: 

 

Today, we turn to one person to provide what an entire village once did: a sense of grounding, meaning, and continuity. At the same time, we expect our committed relationships to be romantic as well as emotionally and sexually fulfilling. Is it any wonder that so many relationships crumble under the weight of it all?