Couples Therapy in Bangkok

What is Couples Therapy

Couples therapy is a form of psychotherapy that helps couples improve their relationships and resolve conflicts. It is a safe and supportive space for partners to communicate their feelings and perspectives, learn new skills and strategies for improving their relationship, and work towards greater understanding and intimacy. Couples therapy is beneficial for couples of all backgrounds and cultures, including Thai couples, whether they are native to Thailand or have a Thai-Western relationship.

Couples therapy, or couples counselling, helps to improve romantic relationships, resolve interpersonal problems, build or rebuild trust, and help partners commit to each other and their relationship.

A couples counsellor’s job is to understand each person as well as the relationship as a whole. In this way, the relationship itself is the client, not either individual exclusively.

A skilled relationship counsellor is here to paint a fair picture of what relationships really are, not what we might hope them to be. You can be assured that a couple’s counsellor will preserve an attitude of non judgement, allowing you to feel comfortable to share honestly with both the counsellor and with your partner.

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Couples Counselling Process

Thai relationships and marriages are not immune to the same challenges and problems faced by couples in other cultures. Whether it is communication difficulties, cultural differences, infidelity, money issues, family tensions, or a lack of intimacy and connection, these problems can have a significant impact on the quality and stability of the relationship. However, with the help of couples therapy and other resources couples can work to overcome these challenges and build stronger, more fulfilling relationships.

Our experienced counsellors use a range of techniques in their work and their main job is to understand each person as well as the relationship as a whole. One can say that actually, the relationship itself is the client, and who the counsellor is really working for.

During the counselling process, the two partners will be talking to the therapist and each other about what they see as the problem. In this, they will also be talking about themselves, and how they fit into the bigger picture of the relationship. It’s important to note that the counsellor is there to help them, not to be the ultimate judge of who is right and wrong.

The Biggest Problems Facing Thai Couples in Relationships and Marriage

As previously mentioned Thai relationships and marriages, like those of any other culture, are not immune to challenges and problems. In Thailand, these challenges are often exacerbated by cultural differences, language barriers, and differing expectations. In this article, we will explore some of the biggest problems facing Thai couples in relationships and marriage.

Communication Challenges

One of the most common challenges faced by couples in Thailand is communication. Poor communication can result in misunderstandings, feelings of frustration, and even arguments. In some cases, partners may struggle to express their feelings and needs, leading to a lack of intimacy and connection in the relationship.

Infidelity

Infidelity is a common problem in Thai relationships and can have a devastating impact on a relationship. Whether it is due to a lack of intimacy or a search for something more, infidelity can cause hurt, anger, and mistrust in the relationship. In some cases,

Money Issues

Money is another common source of conflict for Thai couples, especially in a country where economic disparities can be significant. Whether it is due to differences in income or spending habits, disagreements about money can cause tension and conflict in the relationship. In some cases, financial difficulties can result in relationship and marriage problems, such as debt and bankruptcy.

Family Tensions

Family can also be a source of conflict in Thai relationships, especially when it comes to issues such as parenting, in-laws, and extended family responsibilities. In Thailand, family plays a significant role in relationships and marriage, and the expectations and responsibilities placed on partners can be overwhelming. For example, the partner may be expected to provide financial support to extended family, which can put a strain on the relationship.

Lack of Intimacy and Connection

Finally, a lack of intimacy and connection is a common problem for many couples. This can be due to a number of factors, including age differences, communication difficulties, cultural differences, and financial problems. A lack of intimacy and connection can result in feelings of loneliness and isolation, and can even lead to the breakdown of the relationship.

Thai / Western / Cross Cultural Relationships

In Thailand, relationships face unique challenges, including cultural differences and expectations, which can impact the quality and stability of the relationship. For Thai-Western couples, these challenges are amplified, as they often come from different cultural backgrounds and have different communication styles. However, couples therapy can provide a space for couples to understand and appreciate these differences and work towards creating a stronger, more harmonious relationship.

For Thai-Western couples, communication can be further complicated by cultural differences and language barriers. For example, some Westerners may be more direct and open in their communication style, while Thais may be more indirect and avoid confrontation. This can result in misunderstandings and hurt feelings, as partners may interpret each other’s words and actions differently.

In traditional Western counselling, it’s very typical to work on communication skills. Talking to one another is actually a very complex process, and can break down easily. Sometimes what one person says and what the other person hears can be two completely different things. This can be overcome with some simple skills and exercises that the couple will practice together. Other times it is a matter of trust, and working to reconnect with one another. Couples therapy helps provide skills and exercises to help regain that sense of trust and connection with your partner. Also, depending on your specific needs, you might learn stress reduction skills, so that you can cope with whatever struggles life may throw your way.

Cultural Differences in Thai / Western & Cross-Cultural  Relationships

Cultural differences can also play a significant role in Thai relationships, as partners may have different expectations and values regarding relationships and family. For example, Thais may place a higher value on family and community, while Westerners may place a greater emphasis on individualism and independence.

In a Thai-Western relationship, these differences can lead to misunderstandings and conflict, especially when it comes to issues such as parenting, finances, and household responsibilities. For example, a Western partner may not understand why the Thai partner wants to prioritize spending time with their family, while the Thai partner may not understand why the Western partner values financial independence.

In couples therapy, couples can learn to appreciate and respect each other’s cultural differences and work towards finding common ground. By understanding and accepting each other’s perspectives, couples can build a stronger, more harmonious relationship that incorporates both their values and traditions.

Successful Cross-cultural & Thai/ Western relationships succeed through learning, accepting and understanding without these then the relationship will give it the best chance of success.

Benefits of Couples Therapy

Some clients may find the first therapy session uncomfortable and demanding to start with, which is understandable since any kind of talking therapy or deep expressing of feelings can often be unfamiliar to many people (both verbally and non-verbally.) The important thing to remember when seeking couples therapy is that the therapist is impartial and not there to judge either of you. The therapist is there to help and guide you to have a better understanding of each other and come to terms together in order to have a satisfactory and healthy relationship.

What people often find when they engage in couples therapy is that they learn to become more open and willing to talk with their partner. While there may still be arguments and disagreements which all relationships will have at some point, there is something different about how things turn out in the end. There won’t be those same hurt feelings or grudges; instead, there will be more discussion, where both of you are able to work things out and come to a resolution.

Session Duration and Costs for Couples Therapy in Bangkok

Whether you are looking for in-person couples therapy sessions in Bangkok or online we recommend that each person has 90 minute individual session and then a 90 minute couples session. These usually take place over a one week period. We have found this to be extremely effective.

We understand that there may financial or time factors in committing to 90 minutes in which case we can arrange the first individual sessions as 60 minutes if you prefer.  This can be discussed further and agreed upon at the end of the initial free consultation call. Our current fees are all listed in Thai Baht and we offer several payment methods including bank transfer, TransferWise and PayPal from international clients wanting to pay by debit or credit card.