Farhan Akhtar, a well-known Bollywood actor and filmmaker, and Shibani Dandekar, a model and actress, tied the knot in February 2022 after three years of dating. While their marriage seemed perfect from the outside, the couple revealed in Rhea Chakraborty’s podcast that they sought couples therapy just two days after their wedding. This candid revelation has sparked a conversation about the importance of couples therapy in modern relationships.
Therapy Right After the Wedding: The Surprising Decision
Farhan and Shibani started their couples therapy journey even before their wedding. Shibani shared that they began therapy sessions about six months after their engagement, and it became a part of their relationship routine. Surprisingly, just two days after their wedding, they attended another therapy session. The therapist was taken aback, asking, “Why are you here so soon after the wedding?”
The couple’s dedication to addressing issues early on showed their belief in therapy’s role in maintaining a healthy relationship. Shibani likened it to working out at the gym—sometimes they had nothing to say during sessions, but other times, they would spend more time delving into deeper matters.
The Role of Couples Therapy in Strengthening Relationships
Couples therapy isn’t as commonly understood as individual therapy in India, but it’s gaining recognition. Modern life, with its busy schedules and constant distractions, can cause a disconnect between partners. This is where therapy can help by allowing couples to communicate better, work through misunderstandings, and resolve conflicts.
Therapists assist couples in discussing their issues, whether they involve communication breakdowns, daily disagreements, or more serious challenges. The goal is to identify the root causes of problems and find ways to address them together. By seeking help from a professional, couples can avoid letting small issues snowball into bigger conflicts.
Farhan and Shibani’s Approach to Therapy
What makes Farhan and Shibani’s story unique is their proactive approach to seeking help. They didn’t wait for a crisis to happen; instead, they saw therapy as a way to strengthen their bond. Whether it was days of silent reflection or intense discussions, therapy became a vital part of their relationship.
For couples like Farhan and Shibani, therapy serves as a tool to maintain harmony and prevent future issues from escalating. Their openness about therapy highlights its importance in keeping relationships healthy, even when everything seems perfect on the surface.
