What about couples therapy when there is domestic violence?
+
This is the single most important safety issue in couple counselling. Active domestic violence (physical, sexual, severe verbal abuse, coercive control, financial abuse, intimidation, threats) is a contraindication for traditional couples therapy. Doing standard couples therapy when one partner is being abused can actually INCREASE the danger — the abusive partner may retaliate after sessions, and the abused partner cannot speak honestly in the room. At HopeQure, we screen for domestic violence at every couple intake (individually with each partner). If we detect ongoing abuse, we will not do joint sessions. We will provide individual safety-focused counselling for the abused partner, refer to specialised DV services (NCW women's helpline 7827170170, national women's helpline 181, One Stop Centres for women in distress), and only consider couples work if and when active abuse has stopped and the abusive partner has done substantial individual work. Your safety always comes before the relationship.
What is Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Gottman Method?
+
EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy), developed by Dr. Sue Johnson, is based on attachment theory and focuses on the emotional bond between partners. EFT identifies negative cycles (like 'pursue-withdraw' or 'criticise-defend'), helps partners express the deeper attachment needs underneath their surface anger, and restructures the emotional bond. ~70–75% of couples reach full recovery; ~90% show significant improvement. Gottman Method, developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman over 40+ years of longitudinal research, identifies the Four Horsemen (criticism, contempt, defensiveness, stonewalling) that predict relationship failure, and builds 'Sound Relationship House' skills — strengthening fondness, managing conflict, creating shared meaning. Both are evidence-based and complementary. Many of our therapists train in both. Imago Relationship Therapy (Harville Hendrix) is a third evidence-informed approach that focuses on healing childhood wounds within adult relationships.
Can couple counselling help if we've already decided to separate?
+
Yes — but the goal is different. If you've genuinely decided to separate, we offer Discernment Counseling to help you confirm the decision and separate respectfully, and post-separation co-parenting counselling if children are involved. If one partner wants to leave and the other wants to repair, Discernment Counseling (1–5 sessions) helps you both gain clarity before committing to either path. Many couples enter Discernment 'leaning out' and decide to try repair work; others confirm separation and proceed with less conflict. We do not pressure couples to stay together — your autonomy is paramount.
How long does couple counselling take?
+
Honest timeline: Discernment Counseling is 1–5 sessions. Premarital counselling typically 4–8 sessions. Communication and conflict-cycle work usually 8–12 sessions. Infidelity recovery typically 16–24 sessions over 4–6 months. Long-standing emotional disconnection or intimacy work often 12–20 sessions. Sex therapy specifically 6–12 sessions for many concerns. Improvements often start showing in the first 3–4 sessions (the relief of being heard, the framework of understanding the cycle), but real structural change in the relationship takes longer. We will be honest at the 6-week mark about realistic expectations.
Is online couple counselling confidential?
+
Yes. All sessions are protected under the RCI Code of Professional Ethics for psychologists and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023. HopeQure is ISO 27001 certified, DPDP-compliant and HIPAA-aligned. Sessions are end-to-end encrypted, records stay on Indian servers, and we never share content with family, employer, courts (without legal compulsion), or insurance companies without your written consent. Each partner's individual statements (when seen separately during intake or DV screening) are also confidential — we will not share what one partner says privately with the other without explicit permission. Limits to confidentiality (per RCI guidelines): imminent risk to life, child abuse, court orders.