Lauren Drean and I, Jordon Anderson, are running a therapy group for couples. You might be wondering a few things, namely why and what is it? 

I’m glad you asked. Couples group therapy is a form of group therapy where multiple couples, usually with a maximum cap, come together to explore common relationship struggles and topics. The benefit of couples therapy in a group is that the couples will get a unique chance to learn from and challenge one another. 

It is not common for couples to speak so frankly about the challenges they experience. In couples group therapy there is space to be supported through the unique but predictable challenges of all relationships. 

When we say “couple” we do not limit any relationship to two people. This is another benefit of the group, exposure to new ideas or ways other people structure their relationships, not just in terms of polyamory or monogamy, but how people determine what is and is not acceptable within a relationship. The benefit of group therapy for couples is a diverse perspective that different relationships will naturally bring to the group. 

While talking with your friends or family about your relationship might feel cathartic, it also has its limitations. With trained professionals, we are prepared to go to the root of the dynamic and challenge everyone’s role. Oftentimes, friends and family are supportive of one individual, usually with the goal of keeping a system consistent, that is, to limit meaningful change, either explicitly or unconsciously. 

Lauren and I work with people through a unique lens of also being trained sex therapists. In group therapy, we explore common topics such as, but not limited to:

  • Sex and Sexuality
  • Family of Origin Conflict
  • Division of Labor 
  • Relationship Disharmony 
  • Boundaries 
  • Healthy Communication 
  • Positive Coping Skills 
  • Chronic illness 
  • Goal Setting and Follow Through
  • Relationship Structure 
  • Parenting Styles

At South Shore Family Health Collaborative, we specialize in supporting various relationship structures—especially couples —in resolving conflict and changing unhelpful relational dynamics.