At a time when financial investments might be riskier than usual, the University Center for Family Therapy said the safest investment around might be an emotional one.
The center is offering free one-hour counseling consultations for couples today, from noon to 8 p.m. Couples will meet with advanced graduate students in the College of Education’s Couples and Family Therapy program, who are training to become professional therapists and have experience with relationship counseling.
Both individuals and couples can participate in the 2009 Relationship Check-up, at a scheduled or walk-in session. Participants range in age; some are well into their 80s. They often attend therapy to enrich an already solid relationship, in the absence of a pressing problem.
Managing stress in difficult economic times
– | Set realistic goals for your future |
– | Avoid unhealthy coping strategies |
– | Decide what is within your control and what is not |
– | Recognize that worrying about a situation will not improve it |
– | Try to turn what seems negative into something positive |
– | Stay connected to friends, family and social circles |
Center Director John Miller commended his graduate students and asserted that “They have the most current data … read the most current articles, and they have the quickest minds.”
Miller said the Center for Family Therapy, now in its 10th year, “fills an essential niche” in the community by providing 4,000 hours of low-cost, quality service yearly.
While some couples might be leery of counseling and fearful that therapy indicates serious problems, Miller encourages couples to be proactive and to consider counseling a valuable investment even in a good relationship.
“For any couple, whether the relationship is going well or not, this is a pretty positive experience,” said Ryan Smith, a graduate student therapist. “They’re going to get to hear the opinion of someone who’s trained to give another picture or perspective on their relationship.”
Therapy offers a chance for couples to explore issues they aren’t dealing with, Smith said. For couples who are happy and content in their relationship, it gives them the opportunity to hear what works for them and why.
Smith said couples will hear positive reinforcement and have the opportunity to learn the reasons why they’re content.
Miller said the annual event has grown more popular during its seven years, as couples are becoming more open to the relationship “check-up” that is offered. Recently, the name of the program was changed from Marriage and Family Therapy to Couples and Family Therapy, reflecting a more inclusive definition of commitment.
“Every year we focus on something that seems to be relevant to the community,” he said. This year’s focus is the economic recession.
Individuals, couples and families alike are feeling the economic crunch, Miller said, and financial stress can take a toll on relationships.
“You can take any healthy, well-functioning relationship and apply stress to it and it will show cracks,” Miller said.
The idea of pursuing treatment near a holiday that is traditionally associated with love and romance might be surprising to some. But Miller said the timing of the 2009 Relationship Checkup, though atypical, is “logical, because (Valentine’s Day) is the day that people take stock of their relationships.”
Counseling can help identify relationship problems or help couples cope with external stress to avoid relationship problems, he said.
“For many couples, they end up coming out of it with a better relationship,” he said. “They learn something about themselves and are better now for it.”
Anyone can call 346-3296 to make an appointment or walk into the center at 720 E. 13th Ave. to see a counselor in Suite 304.
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