Co-Counselling in Couples Therapy

Why Two Counsellors Are Better Than One: The Benefits of Co-Counselling at Lighthouse Relationships

At Lighthouse Relationships, we believe that occasionally bringing two therapists into a couples counselling session can be a game-changer. Originally conceived as a way to provide continuous improvement for therapists, at Lighthouse we’ve found a way to make it a “four-way street” - where benefits from co-counselling couples enhances the experience for each client in the couple relationship, and each therapist engaging in co-counselling. In this article, we talk about how having your therapist working with a co-counsellor keeps therapists in peak shape and can also make your therapy sessions even more effective. But first, how did we get into co-counselling in the first place?

How Co-Counselling Came About at Lighthouse Relationships

Research shows us there is a risk to assuming that therapists improve with time in practice of therapeutic methods. In fact, a significant 2016 study found that as counsellors and psychologists gain more experience, there’s actually a slight decline in how well their clients do in therapy [1]. This can be confusing, because at the same time as having their results drop, paradoxically, therapists of all stripes feel more confident as they gain experience [2]. That is, the research shows it is common to be confident, whilst very gradually becoming less competent.

Importantly, the research found this was true even in therapists who attended regular professional development and participated in supervision as required by their registration or governing body. The assumption is that this because, for the most part, mature therapists and counsellors are typically not practically assessed or observed regarding how they apply what they learn.

At Lighthouse Relationships, we decided we didn't want to risk assuming we were doing well and, from early on, introduced several strategies to regularly invite colleagues to monitor and assess the effectiveness of how we apply evidence-based practices. One of these is through practicing skill-building exercises at our monthly meetings, with feedback from peers. Another is at times video-recording therapy sessions (with written client permission) and having our performance assessed by external Gottman Method Couples Therapy experts . Thirdly, and more relevant to the current article, we introduced a practice of occasionally undertaking in-house co-counselling to continually gain feedback from one another.

So far, co-counselling has had strong positive feedback from clients and amongst our counsellors - with some clients requesting additional co-counselling sessions (which we are not always able to accommodate, sadly!). So, what are the common benefits that people have mentioned?

Fresh Perspectives for Deeper Insight

When two counsellors are in the room, you benefit from a broader range of perspectives. Each therapist brings their own experience, expertise, and way of seeing things. This can be invaluable when it comes to spotting patterns or dynamics that might otherwise go unnoticed. For the therapists, this collaborative approach allows us to learn from each other, enriching our own professional development while offering you a more comprehensive understanding of your relationship.

Balancing the Dynamic

We found a few couples mention how good it can be to have both a male and female therapist in the room able to comment on how they each see an issue or topic. Our hunch is that for some couples, particularly those where gender dynamics play a role in their present conflict, having both a male and female therapist can create a more balanced atmosphere. We have found some couples feel more comfortable knowing both genders are represented, helping ease concerns about bias. From a therapist's perspective, this balance allows us to share the responsibility of addressing both partners' concerns, sometimes providing additional reassurance that a session is equitable and that everyone feels heard.

Added Support for Complex Situations

In relationships with more complicated dynamics, having two therapists has occasionally allowed for a more robust support system. For clients, this means you’re getting double the attention, care, and insight. For the therapists, it’s an opportunity to share the load in emotionally intense situations.

Modelling Healthy Communication

Two counsellors can model healthy communication in real-time, offering you a live demonstration of how to handle conflicts or express difficult emotions effectively. For the therapists, this gives us a chance to work in tandem, showing you how to navigate disagreements and discuss challenging topics. Sometimes it’s the small things - for example, it’s very useful as a therapist to see how a colleague has developed a turn of phase or an example that really helps get a point across well. It’s a win-win scenario, where both clients and therapists can engage in a more dynamic and collaborative process.

Catching the Subtle Cues

Sometimes, small but crucial dynamics can be missed in a session. With two therapists, the likelihood of catching these subtle cues increases. For clients, this can mean your issues are more likely to be addressed thoroughly. For us, it provides an opportunity to bounce ideas off one another, ensuring nothing important slips through the cracks. (We can even each focus on different aspects of the session, creating a more holistic therapeutic experience).

What About Cost?

So far, we have not sought additional cost for co-counselling sessions, as we are aware there is benefit to both counsellors and clients. In addition, co-counselling usually is for only a few sessions rather than the full duration of therapy; to keep things simple we have for the moment kept co-counselling to the same price as regular therapy sessions.

Can I Arrange Co-Counselling?

While co-counselling offers a range of benefits for both clients and therapists, we sadly can’t provide this service to every couple due to availability and logistical reasons. What has ben more common is that when our counsellors are ready to undertake some co-counselling, we will contact and invite clients who are in the practice around that time.

However, if this approach appeals to you, we’d be happy to discuss it further. Please feel free to ask us about it by using our Contact Form, and we’ll do our best to explore how this option could enhance your therapy experience.

Do I Have to Do Co-Counselling if Invited?

Not at all. In all likelihood, you will not be invited to participate, as we only do co-counselling occasionally (it is not practical from a business perspective to do all the time). However, if you are invited and do not wish to participate in co-counselling, simply let your therapist know. Even if you do say ‘yes’, you can change your mind at any time at all.

References

1. Goldberg, S., Rousmaniere, T., Miller, S., Whipple, J., Nielsen, S., Hoyt, W., & Wampold, B. (2016). Do psychotherapists improve with time and experience? A longitudinal analysis of outcomes in a clinical setting.. Journal of counseling psychology, 63 1, 1-11 . https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000131.

2. Miller, Scott & Hubble, Mark & Chow, Daryl & Seidel, Jason. (2013). The Outcome of Psychotherapy: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow. Psychotherapy (Chicago, Ill.). 50. 88-97. 10.1037/a0031097.

Brisbane-based Lighthouse Relationships Psychology & Counselling, providers of expert Relationship Counselling

Our team is made up of highly qualified therapists who are committed to delivering exceptional relationship counselling. To learn more about each of our practitioners, visit our team page. When you’re ready, you can check our availability by clicking the button below or give us a call at 07 3477 9077.