Behavioural Couples Therapy (BCT)
Recovery you do together.
Behavioural Couples Therapy (BCT) is available at Passmores House for residents whose recovery is closely connected to their relationship.
Recovery affects everyone close to you and for many people, their relationship is one of the most important parts of getting well and staying well. Behavioural Couples Therapy, or BCT, is a way of bringing your partner into your recovery journey so you’re not doing it alone.
BCT is available to residents at Passmores House as part of your treatment programme. It’s not something you need to sign up for separately, if it could be right for you, your keyworker or therapist will talk it through with you.
What is Behavioural Couples Therapy?
BCT is a structured, evidence-based therapy that works with both you and your partner together. It’s designed for people in committed relationships where substance use has had an impact: on trust, on communication, on day-to-day life.
The aim isn’t just to support your recovery. It’s to help you and your partner rebuild and strengthen your relationship at the same time, so that when you leave treatment, you’re going home to an environment that supports you rather than one that puts you at risk.
What does BCT involve?
BCT sessions bring you and your partner together with a trained therapist. The work focuses on things that have a real impact on both recovery and relationships:
Communication
Learning to talk and listen to each other in ways that reduce conflict and build understanding.
Trust & honesty
Working through the impact that substance use has had on your relationship, and finding ways to rebuild.
Support for sobriety
Your partner learns practical ways to encourage your recovery and you both get tools to navigate difficult moments together.
Shared goals
Setting goals together, celebrating progress, and finding positive things to do as a couple.
Sessions take place alongside your wider treatment programme, including any medication, drug or alcohol screening, and group or individual therapy you’re already involved in. BCT works best as part of a full programme, not instead of it.
The number of sessions will depend on your individual programme and how long you’re with us. Your keyworker can talk you through what that looks like for you.
Does it work?
The evidence behind BCT is strong. People who engage in BCT alongside residential treatment consistently show better outcomes than those receiving individual treatment alone.
- Lower relapse rates compared to individual treatment alone
- Stronger relationship stability beyond the point of discharge
- Better outcomes for children where residents are parents
Is BCT right for me?
BCT isn’t part of every resident’s programme.
It may be a good fit if:
- You’re in a committed relationship and your partner is willing to be involved in your treatment
- Your relationship has been affected by your substance use, or your relationship has played a role in it
- You want to go home to a relationship and a home environment that actively supports your recovery
It may not be suitable where:
- There is significant abuse within the relationship
- Partners are separated or have decided to separate
- One partner does not wish to engage in therapeutic work
If you’re not sure whether BCT is right for you, your keyworker is a good person to talk it through with, or you can get in touch with us directly and we’ll help you work it out together.
What about my partner?
BCT involves your partner coming in for sessions during your treatment. They don’t need to have any experience of therapy and they don’t need to be perfect. What matters is that you’re both willing to try.
For many partners, BCT is also a chance to get support for themselves. Living with or loving someone through substance use is hard, and BCT acknowledges that.
If you’re already a resident at Passmores House, speak to your keyworker or therapist, they’re the best starting point.
If you’re not yet with us and want to know whether BCT would be part of your treatment, you’re welcome to ask about it when you get in touch. It’s something we can explore together at the point of referral or assessment.