Relationship, Marital & Family Therapy
Support for couples and families working through conflict, communication breakdowns, and difficult transitions — in person in Bengaluru & Kolkata, or online anywhere in India.
Conflict between partners, or within a family, is something almost everyone experiences at some point. It becomes harder to manage when disagreements repeat without resolution, when communication feels stuck, or when a major change — a marriage, a new child, a bereavement, a move, an illness, or a shift in roles and responsibilities — puts strain on relationships that once felt steady. Relationship and family therapy offers a structured, neutral space to work through these dynamics with the support of a trained clinical psychologist.
What this kind of therapy can help with
Couples and families come to therapy for many different reasons. Common areas of focus include recurring arguments that do not seem to get resolved, difficulty communicating needs or feelings, trust that has been affected, differing expectations around parenting or household responsibilities, tension between generations living under one roof, or the emotional adjustment that comes with separation, blended families, or caregiving for an ill or ageing relative. Therapy is also sought during transitions that are positive in themselves — marriage, relocation, the birth of a child — but that still require the family system to adapt.
The goal is not to assign blame or decide who is "right." It is to help everyone involved understand the patterns that keep conflict going, build clearer and calmer ways of communicating, and find workable ways forward, whether that means staying together and rebuilding, or navigating a separation with less distress for everyone involved, including children.
Approaches used
Depending on what a couple or family needs, sessions may draw on evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to address unhelpful thought and behaviour patterns that fuel conflict, and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), which focuses specifically on relationship patterns and communication. Mindfulness-based techniques can also be introduced to help individuals stay grounded and respond rather than react during difficult conversations. The specific mix of approaches is tailored to the people involved and the issues they bring to therapy.
How sessions are structured
Every family and couple is different, so the structure of therapy is discussed and agreed on together. Some situations call for joint sessions with all parties present; others benefit from a mix of joint and individual sessions, particularly when one person needs space to process something on their own before bringing it into a shared conversation. Sessions are available in person at Bengaluru and Kolkata, and online for those elsewhere in India — which can be especially useful when family members are spread across different cities.
About Srijita Gupta
Srijita Gupta is an RCI-certified licensed Clinical Psychologist (RCI Reg. No. A56917), with an M.Phil in Clinical Psychology from the Institute of Psychiatry, Centre of Excellence (IPGME&R and SSKM Hospital), Kolkata, and an M.Sc in Clinical Psychology from the University of Calcutta, where she was a rank holder. She has over 10 years of experience working within government psychiatric hospital settings, including NIMHANS, Bengaluru, and the Institute of Psychiatry, SSKM, Kolkata, and is an Accredited Professional Life Member of the Indian Association of Clinical Psychologists (IACP).
Relationship difficulties often overlap with individual mental health concerns. If you are also navigating low mood, you may find it useful to read about therapy for depression, and if anxiety plays a role in how conflict shows up for you, the page on anxiety therapy covers this in more detail. You can also browse the full range of services offered.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or crisis, please contact your local emergency services or a helpline such as Tele-MANAS (14416) right away. This page is not a substitute for emergency care.
Common questions about relationship & family therapy
Do both partners or family members need to attend every session?
Not necessarily. Some sessions may involve everyone together, while others may be one-on-one, depending on what is being worked through. This is discussed and agreed on as therapy progresses.
Is couples or family therapy only for relationships in crisis?
No. People seek this kind of support for a range of reasons, from ongoing communication difficulties to major life transitions, not only when a relationship is in crisis.
Can sessions be attended online if family members live in different cities?
Yes. Online consultations are available across India, which can make it easier to coordinate sessions when partners or family members are not in the same location.