In teen therapy, young adult counseling, couples therapy, and marriage counseling, therapists encourage individuals to start a gratitude journal. This is a common practice that often spans across the therapist spectrum.
There are many studies that have shown expressing gratitude can have a positive impact on your mood. One such study is from the journal Society of Psychotherapy Research.
Taking time to recount your blessings can make you happier and less negative. There is great benefit in being intentional about what you’re thankful for. Dr. John Gottman from the Gottman Institute, suggests that couples can also grow as a result of keeping a love journal.
What is a love journal? A love journal is a record of all the things you admire and appreciate about your partner.
The journal can include things you’ve liked the entire relationship, marriage or something new. It can highlight aspects of your partner‘s personality and special things they have done.
In marriage counseling or couples therapy, we often explore how the key to a healthy relationship or marriage is being intentional in how you relate to your partner. A love journal is a tangible way to express your intentional love. Keeping a love journal is a good way to pursue your partner at every stage of the relationship.
Practical Ideas For a Love Journal
You could organize the love journal into three different categories. These categories will help you reflect on what you appreciate about your partner.
Category 1: What You‘ve Always Admired About Them
In this category, you could include how you admire their listening skills. You could highlight how you appreciate their sense of humor and their smile.
In this category you can underscore what made you fall in love with them in the first place. These are your partner’s deepest and truest qualities.
Category 2: What You‘ve Recently Noticed About Them
You and your partner have changed since you first came together. This category can help you reflect on all the changes you’ve grown to appreciate.
You can highlight how your partner has shown courage in the midst of challenge. You can point out all their strengths in relationship to being a parent.
This is an opportunity to acknowledge you notice and admire your partner in the present day.
Category 3: The Little Things
It’s easy to overlook the little things your partner does for you every day. If your partner gets you coffee or tea, be sure to include this. Does your partner compliment your outfit or hairstyle?
Make sure to highlight the small things that your partner does that make a huge difference in your day.
Sharing Your Love Journal
A suggestion I give couples in marriage counseling or couple's therapy is for both partners to create their own love journal. The first step is to record all the things you admire about your significant other. The second step is to find time to share what you’ve written with them. This act of sharing is an essential part of the process.
I also encourage the couples I work with, in marriage counseling or couples therapy, to spend 5-10 minutes a day expressing their appreciation. Make it a conversation where both partners are sharing together.
It’s important to make this a distraction free zone. Look into each other’s eyes and share what you have written. After both partners have shared, you can time to reflect.
This ritual of connection will help you strength your relationship bond.
Begin Marriage Counseling or Couples Therapy at Katy Teen & Family Counseling: Katy, Tx & Houston
At Katy Teen & Family Counseling, our marriage therapists and couples counselors can help. Marriage counseling or couples therapy can help you strengthen your relationship and deepen your connection as a couple.
Our Katy, Tx location of Katy Teen and Family Counseling, is conveniently located off of I-10 and 99. We are about 4 blocks behind the Academy Sports in Katy, Tx.
If as a couple you are ready to work with an experienced couples therapist or marriage counselor at Katy Teen & Family Counseling, all you need to do is follow these three simple steps:
Contact Katy Teen & Family Counseling
Speak with one of our marriage counselors or couples therapists
Let us help you fall in love all over again!
Other Therapy and Counseling Services Offered at Katy Teen & Family Counseling: Serving Katy, Tx & Houston
At the Katy, Tx location of Katy Teen & Family Counseling, we also provide other teen therapy, young adult counseling, and family counseling services.
Below are a few of the other counseling services we provide for teens, families, and young adults in Katy, Tx and Houston:
Board Certified Neurofeedback Therapy
Peak performance (optimal academic brain performance)
Peak performance (optimal athletic brain performance)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR Therapy)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
About the Author
Quique Autrey is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and family therapist. He is an experienced couples therapist and marriage counselor.
He views each individual through that lens and provides therapy for the family system which includes: teen therapy, young adult counseling, family counseling, marriage counseling & couples therapy.
Quique has helped those who experience depression, anxiety, panic attacks, social anxiety, ADHD/ADD, and is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
Quique also has a passion for helping teens, young adults, and adults who may be on the Autism Spectrum. He has a talent for connecting with and helping people with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
If you're ready to start your healing journey in marriage counseling or couples therapy, you can call us at 346-202-4662 or email us at info@katyteenandfamilycounseling.com.
