FAQs for couples seeking help
Table of Contents:
A. Difference between couples therapy and Couples Coaching
B. How does it work online?
C. Is it effective?
D. Does it take longer or cost more than individual coaching?
E. How do we prepare for online couples coaching?
Section A content:
Couples coaching is different from in-office couples therapy in that it is more convenient because you can be anywhere, although preferably together in the same room as you meet with Dr. Bren via Zoom call. Another difference is that you and Dr. Bren develop laser-focused goals for the coaching, your
dream outcome and strategies that take you there quickly. Her vastexperience helping couples for decades allows her to identify the right strategies more quickly than less experienced counselors or coaches.
More time is spent on the present dynamic than on past childhood wounds or previous relationship issues. Although the previous relationships in your life are relevant to patterns that occur now, Dr. Bren helps you use what you have learned from earlier relationships to choose wiser in your current relationship. Counseling and coaching use similar techniques but coaching happens more quickly than therapy. For most couples, coaching lasts between 8-10 sessions. Dr. Bren will help you choose action steps to practice between sessions that will strengthen your intimacy and positive regard for each other, thus creating a stronger foundation to build your renewed relationship on.
Section B content:
Whenever possible couples coaching works best with a video connection. Zoom is used most often but other video calls can be used (Face Time calls, Google Hang Out, etc. Whichever you are most comfortable using If that is not available, then we can meet by audio phone call or group call.
Section C content:
Yes! Online couples coaching definitely works if the couples do the work between sessions. Within 2-3 sessions the emotional connection will improve significantly. Respect, love, and compassion will begin to replace anger, cold shoulder, or defensiveness like shutting down, blowing up, and gaslighting.
Section D content:
Typically, online coaching takes less time. The cost may be more paid out of pocket. Dr. Bren does not accept third party payments like insurance. And yet, the investment is worth it if you get better results in less time, isn’t it? Dr. Bren accepts monthly payments but the payment must be at the beginning of the coaching period, not after clients have received the coaching.
Section E content:
Dr. Bren will send several questions for you to answer separately prior to the first session. Often, each person also sends any background information like family of origin patterns, presence of addictions of any kinds and what you are doing to address that, or what your own personal emotional trigger points
may be. DR. Bren reviews that information before the first session.
“When I say the first session, I am referring to the first session after our free call and your decision to hire me.”