Money is about much more than dollars and cents. For many couples, conversations about spending, saving, debt, security, and financial priorities can bring up strong emotions, old patterns, and even shame. These conversations can feel especially difficult when we believe we’re the only ones struggling with them.
Couples Group Therapy and Money
This is one of the reasons we believe there can be so much value in exploring money and relationships in a group setting. Group therapy creates a space where couples can learn, reflect, and practice new ways of communicating alongside others who are navigating many of the same challenges.
Some of us have a tendency to keep certain topics hidden, not sharing with friends or family. This secrecy breeds shame which ultimately has a detrimental effect on your relationships. One of the biggest benefits of a couples focused workshop or therapy group is seeing that your relationship struggles aren’t uniquely yours. Conversations related to money are some of those that many couples keep hidden and shy away from even WITH their partner. This is why we’re trying to break that stigma!
We want you to begin feeling comfortable talking about these highly emotional topics. Although this can be achieved within couples therapy we also want you to see the benefits of sharing such a shame ridden topic within a group of peers. Hearing other couples describe their financial patterns can reduce shame and help you see your own relationship with a little more perspective.
Groups also give couples the chance to watch relationship skills happen in real time. Sometimes it’s easier to recognize defensiveness, avoidance, assumptions, or missed bids for connection when you’re watching another couple and making the connection… Oh. We do that too!
Group therapy isn’t about sharing every private detail of your relationship with strangers. In our couples therapy workshop, we provide structure, boundaries, education, and practical exercises while allowing each couple to decide what they’re comfortable sharing.
For couples who feel stuck in repetitive patterns, a group can offer something individual couples therapy can’t quite replicate: the experience of realizing you’re not alone, learning alongside others, and practicing a different way of being together.
Interested in learning more? Check out our upcoming workshop!
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Want to start untangling your complex relationships with finances in your couples or individual therapy first? Here’s a few questions to start you off:
- Are there conversations about money I/we avoid?
- What did I/we learn growing up about spending, saving, debt, security, generosity or talking about money?
- How do I/we feel about money? Do I like this answer or is there a preferred alternative to work towards?
- Are my/our patterns regarding finances similar to other patterns in my life? For example - I tend to avoid or over control?
- How would changing my relationship with finances positively impact my life?
Talking about money can feel vulnerable, but you don’t have to navigate these conversations alone. Whether you’re working through different financial values, recurring conflict, avoidance, or simply want to develop a healthier relationship with money, bringing these patterns into the open can be an important first step.
Sometimes, hearing another couple talk about something that feels familiar is enough to remind us: “We’re not the only ones.” Group therapy offers an opportunity to reduce shame, gain perspective, learn practical relationship skills, and practise new ways of communicating in a supportive environment.
If money has become a source of tension in your relationship, our upcoming couples workshop may be a helpful place to start. We’d love to have you join us.
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