No one enters a relationship expecting it to be full of challenges, but life often has other plans. When issues arise, couples turn to therapy to rekindle what was once built with love and care.

This is what we know, right? If there is a problem, seek help.

However, during a conversation on Rhea Chakraborty’s podcast ‘Chapter 2’, Shibani Dandekar opened up about how she and Farhan Akhtar went to therapy a few days after their wedding.

They got married on a Monday and by Wednesday they were in therapy sessions, much to the surprise of their therapist. “You have to keep working at it,” Dandekar said, comparing therapy to going to the gym.

Does this mean that therapy is also beneficial for couples who are not necessarily experiencing problems but are committed to maintaining a healthy relationship?

Suitable for healthy relationship

Mumbai based relationship expert and author Shahjeen Shivdasani tells India Today Ideally, a couple should seek therapy when they feel that their relationship is not working, they have tried everything and have hit each other hard, but do not want to give up on each other.

Sitting down with a therapist gives them a chance to work through their issues.

Therapy provides a non-judgmental space for couples to share their problems with a counselor and receive guidance in situations requiring conflict resolution.

“The best time for couples counseling is before marriage. At this stage, it helps the couple to recognize each other’s personality traits. This helps them understand their level of compatibility based on these traits. also helps, which will ultimately help them fulfill their future expectations in the relationship and develop a stronger bond,” says Aarti Chawla, a Mumbai-based relationship psychotherapist and life coach.

According to Aarti, therapy can also benefit healthy relationships by helping each partner clear emotional clutter and learn to control their emotions.

She adds, “Sometimes they carry the baggage of the past and stop being their authentic self. It may not be affecting the relationship, but it is definitely affecting their personal mental health. Therefore, it is always advisable to have a safe space to share and gain emotional strength.”

Dr Samant Darshi, consultant psychiatrist and director of Cymet (a mental health clinic) in NCR, agrees that healthy couples also need to strengthen their relationship, improve communication and develop tools to deal with future challenges. Can benefit from therapy.

Additionally, regular check-ins can prevent misunderstandings and reinforce positive habits, ensuring that the relationship remains strong and resilient over time.

Stigma Around Couples Therapy

Delhi-based relationship counselor Ruchi Rooh says the biggest stigma around seeking therapy is the perception that something is broken or that you are in trouble.

People fail to see it as a means of improvement or healing. She says, “Seeking therapy for something that isn’t working in a relationship is a sign of strength and awareness, not failure. Normalizing therapy helps relationships by creating space for openness, empathy, and emotional intelligence. Can be healthy.”

Even for healthy couples who seek therapy, it is often assumed that they are experiencing problems rather than making active efforts to strengthen their bond. This misconception may discourage many people from seeking help until serious problems arise.

In fact, therapy can be a powerful tool for enhancing communication, deepening emotional intimacy, and preventing future conflicts.

Shahjin Shivdasani says we live in a generation where people give up on their relationships too easily, so couples therapy is a beautiful thing and there is no stigma.

How does therapy help?

• Couples get a safe space to effectively express their needs and feelings in the relationship.
• It provides tools for dealing with common conflicts and everyday disagreements.
• If trust has been broken, couples therapy can help partners express their feelings, find solutions, and work toward rebuilding trust.
• It also addresses intimacy issues, whether physical, emotional or sexual, by helping both partners talk openly about their needs and find ways to address them.
• Therapy can help couples cope with life’s collective challenges, thereby increasing overall relationship satisfaction.

It’s important to recognize that even couples in healthy relationships can sometimes face challenges, and seeking therapy can help address these issues early on, preventing them from escalating into bigger problems. .

Could it take a negative turn?

Aarti Chawla mentions that therapy sessions do not have any side effects unless a person is ready to face the current situation.

“Sometimes people are afraid of change, they worry that during therapy, the therapist might suggest they change their behavior or beliefs. However, therapy doesn’t require anyone to change; it’s their perspective on the situation. “, which will ultimately change their emotional state,” he added.

Even healthy couples may worry that therapy may uncover hidden or unresolved issues, or that their partner may bring up concerns they have not discussed before.

Dr. Samant Darshi says counseling may cause temporary discomfort as the underlying issues are resolved. Partners may experience intense emotions or conflict during the session when confronting challenging topics.

Before You Consider Couples Therapy

The results of therapy ultimately lead to clarity and can set individuals on a path to healing, whether together or apart.

Ruchi Ruh shares, “Couples should approach therapy with openness, patience, and a willingness to be vulnerable. It’s important to trust the process, be honest with yourself and your partner, and understand that progress may take time.”

She adds that it’s also important to find a therapist with whom both partners feel comfortable and are committed to the hard work required to make lasting changes.

According to the expert, beyond therapy, maintaining a healthy relationship requires constant effort.

Key practices include regular, open communication, setting and respecting boundaries, prioritizing spending quality time together, practicing empathy and appreciation, and addressing conflicts before they escalate.

Maintaining individuality, pursuing shared goals, and being mindful of each other’s emotional needs also play an important role in promoting long-term relationship health.

Remember that a relationship involves two people coming from different backgrounds, cultures and upbringings, with different interests and experiences. Therefore, it is important for them to work on personal triggers and insecurities before committing to a relationship.

Self-discovery and exploration can help foster a healthy relationship. Even if there isn’t a problem, putting in an extra effort never hurts.