Editorial Note: This article delves into the dynamics of couples therapy, exploring when it may be beneficial, what it entails, and how it can foster deeper understanding within a relationship. The piece employs the “Intimacy from the Inside Out” (IFIO) model, rooted in Internal Family Systems theory, to shed light on common challenges and transformative
Going to therapy for the first time or going to a new therapist is a bold step. Thus, it might elicit some strong feelings. For example, will I make progress? Is this person a good fit for me? What if I feel worse? These apprehensions are expected, and they accompany the process of entering therapy.
If we take a moment to look at the history of psychology and psychiatry, it becomes clear just how complicit these fields have been in upholding oppressive structures. Like many accepted and seemingly “objective” standards, therapeutic modalities and approaches are rife with patriarchal, capitalistic, white-supremacist, and cis/hetero/mono-normative underpinnings. Historically, these fields have often pathologized diverse