In an era where the demands of daily life often overshadow personal relationships, prioritizing efforts to maintain a meaningful connection with your partner is crucial. Yet, couples therapy can sometimes feel daunting—especially when there's uncertainty about which approach might be the most effective.
Understanding the Roots of Presence Oriented Relationship Therapy (PORT)
PORT emerged out of a genuine need for more flexible, but intentional methods of couples therapy. When Steven, the director responsible for its development, faced a personal crisis in his own marriage, the shortcomings of conventional therapy methods became evident. Encountering a therapist skilled in individual therapy but lacking expertise in couples dynamics led to an uncomfortable realization: progress was stagnant, and solutions were elusive.
The Challenges Faced by Couples in Therapy
Research highlighted a troubling trend—many therapists who are not trained specifically in couples therapy achieve only a marginal success rate. This mirrors the divorce statistics, emphasizing the necessity for specialized approaches that offer a better chance at salvaging relationships. The emotional toll comes not just from unresolved issues, but from the disillusionment couples feel when therapy seems as chaotic as home discussions.
Why Create PORT?
Motivated by these insights, Steven embarked on a journey of continuous training, determined to fill the gaps in traditional therapy methods. The development of PORT was inspired by a desire not only to address immediate crises but also to build a sustainable, skill-based approach that therapists could rely on long-term.
PORT was designed to arm therapists with the tools they needed to support nomads more effectively. Through focused training modules broken into manageable blocks, therapists can rapidly absorb proven techniques. This accelerated learning process enables therapists to achieve competence more swiftly, thereby benefiting couples needing prompt and practical interventions.
Benefits of Specialized Training with PORT
Specialized PORT training is an innovative solution offering therapists a structured way to upskill while still attending to their financial needs. By training interns, more affordable therapy becomes accessible to a broader audience, reducing the barrier of costly services and ensuring more couples can benefit from expertly guided sessions.
Aspiring therapists are introduced to a myriad of approaches, from Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to Gottman Method Therapy (GOM), and more. PORT aims to be the foundational course that prepares therapists to dive deeper into these methodologies, enriching their practice and ultimately providing richer experiences for their clients.
PORT's Focus on Directive Methods and Emotional Safety
One of the principal aspects of PORT is emphasizing directive methods in couples therapy over less structured individual therapy. This approach means that both partners gain clarity on what steps need to be taken to navigate their relationship issues more effectively. Moreover, the presence-oriented techniques taught are designed to prevent therapists from falling into the pitfalls of assumptions that may not serve couples well.
The emphasis is also on the therapist's understanding of dynamics unique to relationships, offering an insightful exploration into patterns often missed in less targeted therapies. This encourages a healthy, couples-focused dialogue that can be transformative for any relationship.
Creating a Therapist Support Network
Steven’s insights extended beyond the therapy room. His approach to therapy encompassed a mission to build a support network where therapists continually upskill with research and learning. This commitment ensures that the therapist's skills remain dynamic and responsive to the needs of the communities they serve.
Final Thoughts
Presence Oriented Relationship Therapy (PORT) integrative of the therapist’s other training and personality. Its creation stems from real-life experiences and a profound understanding of the flaws in standard couples therapy approaches. PORT offers a practical, attainable way for therapists to help couples not just survive but thrive, empowering them to foster deeper connections through intentional, informed interventions.
For those curious to learn more about the benefits of PORT, Connection, Change & Trust, a free 5 point CPD course (Australian Counselling Association) is available here.
