The idea of having leverage over a client in therapy seems like an unusual—and borderline unethical—practice. But according to relationship expert Terry Real, it's often necessary when working with male clients.

How can a therapist cut through a couples’ intellectualizations, defensiveness, and ritualized use of language?

For the couple dropping out of therapy without having faced basic issues in their relationship, the stakes are much higher—more potentially damaging—than losing clients is for me.

When something is described as being "creative," most of us instinctively think of the arts, but the arts don't hold a monopoly on creativity.

The natural instinct for most therapists is to try to connect with clients, making them feel heard and understood as they share their deepest problems and emotions. But what if we approached the healing process from a different angle?

Dealing with dishonest clients can be frustrating no matter what type of services you're offering, but in couples therapy, it can be even more infuriating; not only is the client lying to you and to themselves, but they're lying to—and risking damaging their relationship with—their partner.

When a client comes in for their first session, the natural way to start is by asking them what they want to accomplish in therapy. But the way they answer isn't always helpful in moving the treatment forward.

One of the more unique challenges of working with clients who have attachment-based issues is the lack on concrete goals in their treatment.

Even with all the school and professional training we undergo as therapists, it's impossible to be completely prepared for every situation we may encounter in the consulting room.

Besides obvious techniques to open the mind and simply have fun, the creative arts can teach us new ways to motivate stuck clients and better attune to the emotions that arise in the consulting room.