If you are in a relationship, you and your partner will face problems together, big and small. It’s part of the deal in a partnership. There may come a point, however, when you or your partner feels that it’s time to start therapy to overcome challenges, work through disagreements, or simply understand each other better. At Georgetown Psychology, our therapists provide both individual and couples therapy, helping partners strengthen their connection, improve communication, and navigate change together. Seeking therapy is a step that shows you and your partner are committed to the relationship and willing to invest in its future.

The question then becomes: Should you do individual therapy or couples therapy?

Couples Therapy

Couples therapy allows a therapist to simultaneously treat both partners, creating space for real-time discussion and conflict resolution. It is a time to be truly present together, self-reflect, and gain a deeper understanding of each other.

Unlike individual therapy, couples sessions allow for interaction between partners. If one partner is confused about why the other acts or thinks a certain way, they can immediately ask follow-up questions or seek clarification. Each partner can address problems from their perspective, and the other can respond in the moment.

When it comes to conflict resolution, couples therapy allows the therapist to see the big picture, synthesizing both perspectives into one coherent understanding. This can be especially useful when misunderstandings occur. With guided questions, the therapist can help partners explore intentions and motivations, and, depending on the framework, delve into personal histories to understand current patterns.

While the focus can be tailored to the couple’s needs, couples therapy often takes a forward-looking, solutions-oriented approach. With both perspectives in mind, the therapist can offer tools to address communication challenges, build trust, deepen emotional intimacy, and identify unhelpful patterns. These tools can be applied immediately in daily life and create change in the relationship.

One drawback is that couples therapy may not feel as individually tailored as one-on-one therapy. Some couples may also find that relational concerns are tied to unresolved personal issues that require deeper individual work. Others might feel hesitant to share openly in the presence of their partner. Willingness, readiness, and availability of both partners are also key to starting this process together.

Individual Therapy

Individual therapy allows you to meet privately with a therapist to focus entirely on your thoughts, feelings, and challenges — whether or not you are currently in a relationship. For those addressing relationship issues, individual sessions can offer a space to reflect on your role, patterns, and needs.

With the therapist’s full attention, you can explore personal challenges, process emotions, and build self-awareness. For example, you might work through issues around trust, boundaries, communication styles, or self-worth. Privacy can decrease pressure and increase openness, especially for those new to therapy or managing personal mental health concerns.

One limitation is that the therapist will only hear one side of the relationship dynamic, which can make it harder to address misunderstandings or see the full picture. Still, individual therapy can equip you with insights and skills that positively impact your relationship, even if your partner is not currently in therapy. In some cases, a therapist might suggest bringing in your partner for a joint session to gain additional perspective.

A Mix Of Both

Some couples choose a combination of individual and couples therapy. This approach allows you to work on shared goals together while also addressing personal concerns privately. This can be done with the same therapist (with clear boundaries) or with separate therapists.

While combining formats can address some limitations of each, it also requires careful management of confidentiality and expectations. If one method isn’t meeting your needs, it’s always possible to shift your approach. The goal, in any format, is to grow individually and as a couple.

At Georgetown Psychology, our couples therapists are trained in evidence-based approaches such as Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), the Gottman Method, and Relational Life Therapy (RLT), tailoring sessions to the unique needs of each relationship. Whether you’re navigating a period of heightened stress, working through communication challenges, or simply wanting to deepen your connection, we provide a supportive, nonjudgmental space to explore and grow together. We help partners move from patterns of conflict or disconnection toward greater understanding, respect, and intimacy — and give you tools you can use every day. With flexible scheduling options, including in-person and virtual sessions, we make it easier for couples to prioritize their relationship no matter how busy life gets. If you would like to schedule a couples session with one of our therapists, please contact Sarah Smathers, our Client Services Specialist, at sarah@georgetownpsychology.com or (301)652-5550.

We offer psychoeducational evaluations, psychological testing, adult ADHD testing, autism assessments, independent school entrance testing, developmental assessments, and neuroaffirming evaluations. Contact Sarah Smathers at sarah@georgetownpsychology.com to schedule an appointment or for more information.