Couples Therapy – Counseling

I firmly believe we’re not meant to live solitary lives and that we deserve and need loving relationships and community to thrive. Living together in a committed relationship is a challenging process that, simultaneously, offers abundant opportunities for personal growth (hard to see sometimes, I know). Each of us has a unique personality, history and set of values derived from our culture and upbringing that undergird our perception of “the other” and how they perceive us in a relationship. Helping clients to better understand themselves and their own needs so they can negotiate with their partner for the good of the relationship is critical to harmonious living. Too often, couples try to resolve conflicts and improve their relationships by repeating patterns that elicit stress and are harmful. These behaviors often include criticizing, blaming, complaining, nagging, threatening, punishing, and bribing. I work with couples to support them in releasing fear that the situation is hopeless and developing caring habits and new ways of connecting.  The following are the types of situations which arise for clients:

• Couples contemplating marriage
• Couples in conflictual relationships
• Couples contemplating divorce
• Couples wanting greater intimacy in their relationship
• Couples working through infidelity
• Couples struggling with a new blended family
• Couples working through life crisis or transitions

I have studied the work of renowned therapist, Dr. John Gottman, and his 40-year span of research with thousands of couples. When working with couples, I integrate many of Dr. Gotmann’s ideas and findings.