couples Counseling

the issue

Couples often seek therapy when faced with a myriad of challenges that strain their relationship. These challenges may include communication breakdowns, trust issues, unresolved conflicts, and a lack of intimacy. Additionally, when one partner is grappling with their own mental health challenges such as attachment trauma or eating disorders, it can further complicate the dynamics of the relationship. Couples counseling offers a safe and supportive environment for partners to address these issues together. It provides a space for open communication, mutual understanding, and empathy, allowing partners to navigate their individual struggles while strengthening their connection.

Couples I work with often report…

If you are experiencing anything like the couples I’ve helped before, you may be looking to stop:

  • Being overly sensitive or experiencing a trauma response during conflict

  • Struggles to communicate about important topics like finances, mental health issues, or physical intimacy

  • Having years of toxic relationship history that is influencing how their current relationship is going

  • YOUR FEARS

    Couples often harbor fears related to abandonment, rejection, intimacy, incompatibility, loss of independence, and fear of change. These fears can manifest as clinginess, emotional distancing, avoidance of conflict, or resistance to compromise. Addressing these fears through open communication and therapy can help couples build trust, vulnerability, and resilience in their relationship, fostering a stronger and more fulfilling partnership.

  • IMPACT ON YOUR RELATIONSHIPS

    Poor communication and poor attunement can significantly impact a couple's relationship, leading to misunderstandings, conflict, and emotional disconnection. When communication is ineffective or lacking, partners may struggle to express their needs, emotions, and concerns clearly, leading to frustration and resentment. Similarly, poor attunement, or the inability to understand and respond to each other's emotional cues and needs, can leave partners feeling unheard, unvalued, and emotionally neglected. This can further strain the relationship, diminishing feelings of connection and closeness.

  • YOUR EMOTIONAL WELLBEING

    Relationship issues within a romantic relationship can have a profound impact on one's overall wellbeing. Emotional distress stemming from conflicts, communication problems, or unresolved issues with a partner can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and depression. These negative emotions can affect various aspects of an individual's life, including their physical health, work performance, and social interactions. Additionally, ongoing relationship difficulties can erode self-esteem and confidence, leaving individuals feeling insecure and unworthy of love and support.

THERAPY FOR Couples

  • ATTACHMENT BASED THERAPY

    Attachment theory focuses on the bonds individuals form with significant others, which can influence their relationships and emotional wellbeing. In couples counseling, attachment therapy aims to identify attachment styles and patterns within the relationship. I help couples explore how their attachment styles impact their interactions, communication, and emotional responses to each other. Through understanding and addressing attachment dynamics, couples can develop more secure and fulfilling relationships.

  • INTERPERSONAL & PSYCHODYNAMIC THERAPY

    Interpersonal therapy and psychodynamic therapy goes into the underlying dynamics of relationships and how past experiences shape current behaviors and interactions. In couples counseling, I use these approaches to help couples explore unresolved conflicts, family-of-origin issues, and unconscious patterns that may contribute to relationship difficulties. By gaining insight into these dynamics, couples can better understand each other's perspectives and work through longstanding issues to foster healthier communication and connection.

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

    CBT focuses on identifying and modifying unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to distress. In couples counseling, CBT techniques can help couples recognize and challenge negative beliefs and communication patterns that fuel conflicts and misunderstandings. I teach couples effective communication skills, problem-solving strategies, and conflict resolution techniques to improve their relationship dynamics. Additionally, CBT can help couples develop coping skills to manage stressors and navigate challenges more effectively.

The results

After working with me to improve your romantic relationship, you can expect:

  • Improved Communication

    You can expect to learn effective communication skills that enable you to express your thoughts, feelings, and needs more openly and empathetically. This improved communication fosters greater understanding and connection between you and your partner.

  • Conflict Resolution

    Couples counseling equips couples with tools and strategies to resolve conflicts constructively and collaboratively. Rather than escalating into arguments or avoidance, couples learn how to address disagreements in a respectful and productive manner.

  • Deeper Understanding

    Through therapy, couples gain deeper insight into their own and their partner's perspectives, emotions, and behaviors. This increased understanding enhances empathy and strengthens the emotional bond between partners.

  • Healing Past Wounds

    Couples counseling provides a safe space for couples to explore and address past hurts, traumas, and unresolved issues that may be impacting their relationship. By processing these emotions together, couples can heal old wounds and move forward with greater resilience.

  • Reconnection & Intimacy

    Couples can expect to rekindle the emotional and physical intimacy in their relationship as they learn to prioritize each other's needs, desires, and connection. Therapy helps couples rediscover the joy and closeness that initially brought them together.

  • Strengthened Partnership

    Couples counseling strengthens the foundation of the relationship by fostering trust, respect, and mutual support. Couples develop a deeper sense of partnership and commitment to navigating life's challenges together.

  • Enhanced Coping Skills

    Couples learn effective coping skills to manage stress, conflict, and life transitions as a team. These skills empower couples to navigate future challenges with greater resilience and adaptability.

  • Renewed Hope

    Couples leave therapy with a renewed sense of hope for the future of their relationship. They feel confident in their ability to overcome obstacles and sustain a loving, fulfilling partnership.

START HEALING

FAQs

  • Couples therapy can be beneficial for any couple experiencing challenges in their relationship, such as communication issues, trust issues, or conflicts that seem impossible to resolve on their own. If you're feeling disconnected from your partner, experiencing frequent arguments, or struggling to overcome past traumas, couples therapy can provide a supportive environment to address these issues and strengthen your relationship.

  • No, the goal of couples therapy is not to assign blame or take sides. Our therapist works collaboratively with both partners to understand the underlying dynamics of the relationship and identify patterns of behavior that may be contributing to conflicts. By fostering open communication and empathy, our therapist helps couples explore their issues from a neutral perspective and work towards finding mutually beneficial solutions.

  • The duration of couples therapy varies depending on the unique needs and goals of each couple. Some couples may see significant improvements in a few sessions, while others may require longer-term therapy to address deeper issues. Our therapist works with couples to establish clear objectives and milestones, regularly reviewing progress and adjusting treatment as needed to ensure the best possible outcome.

  • It's not uncommon for one partner to be hesitant or resistant to attending couples therapy. In such cases, our therapist can offer individual therapy sessions to explore underlying concerns and motivations, as well as to provide support and guidance in navigating relationship challenges. While attending therapy together is ideal, individual therapy can still yield valuable insights and personal growth that can positively impact the relationship.

  • Yes, confidentiality is a cornerstone of our therapy practice. Our therapist adheres to strict confidentiality guidelines, ensuring that all discussions and information shared during therapy sessions remain private and protected. However, there are legal and ethical exceptions to confidentiality, such as instances involving imminent risk of harm to oneself or others, which our therapist will discuss with you in detail during the initial consultation.

The process

  • Connect

    At the initial stage of engaging in our services, you may find yourself grappling with various challenges related to self-esteem, body image, and relationships. You may experience feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, and dissatisfaction with their appearance, which often impacts your interactions with others and their overall sense of well-being. If this is you, connect here.

  • Unpack

    As you progress through therapy, you will embark on a journey of self-exploration and discovery, unpacking deeper into the underlying factors contributing to your struggles with self-esteem, body image, and relationships. Together we will unpack the complex emotions, past experiences, and societal influences that have shaped your beliefs and perceptions.

  • Heal

    As you actively engage in the therapeutic process and implement newfound insights and skills into your life, you will experience profound healing and transformation. With increased self-awareness, self-compassion, and resilience, you navigate life's challenges with greater ease and confidence. You develop healthier perspectives on self-esteem, body image, and relationships.

START HEALING