Therapy For You, the NHS Talking Therapies service catering to patients in North East and South East Essex, is extending its support to couples whose relationships have been impacted by the challenges of depression, employing a pioneering, evidence-based model approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
Through this service, Therapy For You is empowering couples to better navigate the complexities that mild to moderate depression can introduce, helping them surmount issues that might be affecting their relationship.
Despite recent data indicating a decrease in the number of people experiencing depression in the UK year-on-year, the figures remain significantly higher compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Depression, besides affecting countless individuals, can pose a substantial hurdle for couples. Research indicates that individuals in troubled relationships are at least twice as likely to grapple with depression compared to those in stable relationships.
Jane Barham, a High Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapist and Couple Therapy for Depression (CTfD) Therapist at Therapy For You, explains, “When one or both parties in a relationship are dealing with depression, it can put a strain on that couple, leading to issues such as a lack of communication, a reduced interest in intimacy or sex, or a feeling of increased distance between the two,”
“Managing depression can be hard for any relationship, and when one or both parties are struggling to cope, it can chip away at their foundation, and cause conflicts that maintain their low mood.”
To help people take steps toward improving both their well-being and their relationship, Therapy For You’s Couple Therapy for Depression is a forward-thinking, evidence-based therapy that has assisted many in tackling their difficulties.
Tailored for cohabiting couples where one or both are contending with low mood exacerbated by relationship problems, Couple Therapy for Depression aids both parties in comprehending their emotions and enhancing their circumstances.
“While Couple Therapy for Depression shares similarities with couple counselling, this is a service specifically for relationships where one or both are experiencing challenges related to mild or moderate depression,” explains Laura Cocks, Psychotherapist and Service Manager at Therapy For You.
“To ensure Couple Therapy for Depression is as effective as possible, couples should ideally be living together and be ready, willing and able to practise the techniques they learn outside of weekly sessions in their day-to-day life.”
For optimal effectiveness, couples ideally should be cohabiting and willing to apply the techniques they learn during weekly sessions to their daily lives.
Upon referral to the service, Therapy For You initiates the process with a confidential telephone assessment involving both individuals. This crucial step enables therapists to gain insight into the thoughts and feelings of the couple.
Subsequently, one-on-one sessions follow, allowing practitioners to assess their experiences, challenges, and objectives. In the subsequent interventions, couples focus on enhancing their acceptance, understanding of each other’s circumstances, differences, and needs.
“Whether it is arguments over money, parenting, or daily responsibilities, these sessions aim to promote positive behaviours that strengthen the awareness and understanding of a couple,” notes Jane.
The next phase of treatment revolves around making tangible improvements based on the goals set at the outset. Therapy For You suggests that this may involve exercises to enhance communication, teamwork, or intimacy.
“As well as teaching partners how to improve their wellbeing and relationship, Couple Therapy for Depression encourages people to put what they learn into practice outside of their sessions. In many ways, this is where the real therapy happens,” continues Jane.
In the final sessions, the treatment shifts focus to relapse prevention. Here, Therapy For You’s practitioners reinforce the lessons, skills, and techniques the couple has acquired to prevent a regression into old patterns.
According to Therapy For You, Couple Therapy for Depression has already made a significant impact on numerous relationships in their local communities. As a NICE-approved and evidence-based treatment, approximately 56% of individuals who complete CTfD recover from their depression and anxiety nationally – a recovery rate surpassing alternative treatments like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and counseling.
Research also suggests that improving a couple’s relationship can prevent around 30% of severe depressive episodes. Therapy For You underscores the immense value of this service for couples who may be finding it challenging to cope.
“We’re here to support anyone who is committed to rebuilding their relationship from the impact of depression,” adds Jane. “Whether a couple wants to improve communication, become more aware of each other’s needs, or work on their intimacy, we are fully committed to helping them achieve their goals and restoring their foundation for the future.”
Therapy For You’s Couple Therapy for Depression is available at no cost, either through face-to-face sessions or online video sessions, for couples in North East and South East Essex.
