7 Couples Therapy Exercises To Try With Your Spouse

Posted on 3/23/2023, 5:30:18 PM

Couples therapy can be a great way to improve your relationship. It can help you to communicate better, resolve conflict, and build a stronger connection. If you are struggling in your relationship, couples therapy can be a great option.

Here are seven couples therapy exercises that you can try with your spouse:

1. The Mirroring Technique

The mirroring technique is a simple exercise that can help you and your partner to connect on a deeper level. To do this exercise, sit across from your partner and make eye contact. Then, take turns mirroring each other's facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice. This exercise can help you to better understand your partner's feelings and perspectives.

2. The Nurturing Physical Touch When Discussing Difficult Topics

When discussing difficult topics, it can be helpful to use nurturing physical touch. This can help to create a sense of safety and security, which can make it easier to talk about difficult things. To do this, simply touch your partner's hand, arm, or shoulder while you are talking. This can be a simple but effective way to show your support and love.

3. Clearly State Your Spouse's Position in an Argument

One of the best ways to resolve conflict is to clearly state your spouse's position in an argument. This doesn't mean that you have to agree with them, but it does mean that you need to understand where they are coming from. To do this, simply repeat back to your spouse what they have said. This shows that you are listening and that you are trying to understand their point of view.

4. Use a Disarming Technique

A disarming technique is a way to de-escalate a conflict by taking the focus off of the argument and putting it on something else. To do this, simply say something that takes the focus off of the argument, such as a joke, a compliment, or a question. This can help to break the tension and make it easier to talk about the issue at hand.

5. Reiterate What Is Going Right and Acknowledge Room for Improvement

It is important to both celebrate the good things in your relationship and acknowledge the areas where there is room for improvement. To do this, take some time to think about the things that you are grateful for in your relationship. Then, share these things with your spouse. It is also important to acknowledge the areas where there is room for improvement. This doesn't mean that you have to criticize your spouse, but it does mean that you need to be honest about the things that you need from them.

6. Seek to Understand, Not to Be Understood

One of the most important things in any relationship is to seek to understand your partner, not to be understood. This means that you need to make an effort to see things from their perspective. To do this, simply ask your spouse questions about their feelings, thoughts, and experiences. This shows that you are interested in understanding them and that you are willing to try to see things from their point of view.

7. Take Appropriate Timeouts

If you are feeling overwhelmed in an argument, it is important to take an appropriate timeout. This means that you need to take a break from the argument and come back to it when you are both calm and collected. To do this, simply tell your spouse that you need a break and go to a different room. Once you have calmed down, you can come back to the argument and try to resolve it.

These are just a few of the many couples therapy exercises that you can try with your spouse. If you are struggling in your relationship, it is important to seek professional help. A therapist can help you and your spouse to communicate more effectively, resolve conflict, and build a stronger relationship.

Here are some additional tips for couples therapy:

• Be open and honest. Couples therapy is a safe space where you can be open and honest with your partner. This is important because it allows you to get to the root of the problem and find a solution that works for both of you.
• Be willing to compromise. In any relationship, there will be times when you and your partner disagree. It is important to be willing to compromise in these situations. This doesn't mean that you have to give up everything that you want, but it does mean that you need to be willing to meet in the middle.
• Be patient. Couples therapy takes time. Don't expect to see results overnight. Be patient with yourself and your partner, and trust that the process will work.