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Couples
Couples & Marriage Counseling
Following the Emotionally Focused Therapy model, I view couple distress as a result of ongoing emotional disconnection. People often get stuck in negative communication
and responding cycles that suffocate love and they just cannot find their way out. Like
a hamster stuck in a hamster wheel, couples are working really hard to improve their relationship, without results and often leaving them feeling discouraged and defeated.
I help couples break out of their negative response patterns so they can express themselves at a deeper and more intimate level. These conversations lead to emotional healing and growing trust; restoring closeness and repairing and strengthening relationship bonds. This process takes courage, but it is also some of the most satisfying work you will ever do.
Increase Emotional Connection
Renew Intimacy
Relationship Enrichment
Repair Broken Trust
Improve Communication
Create Closeness
Heal Old Wounds
Co-Parenting Teamwork
“A love relationship is a constant dance of mutual tuning in, moments of meeting, missed cues and misses, failures and hurts, repair and then falling into loving connection again.”
Sue Johnson
What to Expect?
In the beginning it is most helpful to meet weekly, with less frequency being possible towards the end of therapy.
Some couples achieve desired changes within 6 to 12 sessions with other couples needing 15 to 20 sessions. Please note these are approximations and every couple is different.
Session 1: Initial session with the couple.
Session 2: Individual session with one of the partners.
Session 3: Individual session with the other partner.
Session 4: Continued sessions with the couple.
Premarital
Before you say “I Do” consider attending PreMarital counseling. With a deeper understanding of your personalities and having intentional conversations about what couples argue most, you will be in a great position to thrive in this new chapter of your lives.
Utilizing the Prepare/Enrich Couples Assessment (https://www.prepare-enrich.com/), I help you understand your unique personalities in a more concrete way. Five areas of personality are assessed; dimensions of your future spouse that will stay the same for the rest of your lives!
With a clear “map” of what couples argue about most, I will guide you in reflecting on your relationship strengths and address growth areas that may need to be improved. Forgo having to stumble upon your differences randomly through repetitive arguments. Let’s talk about them so they do not become a problem. Some of the areas reviewed are:
Partner style and habits
Relationship Roles
Sexuality and Affection
Children and Parenting
Conflict Resolution
Financial Management
Communication
Spiritual Beliefs
Friends, Family and In-Laws
Leisure Activities
Don't just stay married, stay HAPPILY married.
How It Works?
Each partner completes the online assessment individually in the comfort of your own home. I ask that couples do not share their personal impressions about the assessment until after they have both completed it.
Couple sessions take place at my office where we go through the results of the assessment. I will have a printed report with charts and pie graphs that help illustrate the results (you will receive your own copy of the assessment).
Through our sessions and homework exercises, you have intentional conversations that bring you into a deeper understanding and appreciation of your similarities and learn how to navigate your differences. The number of sessions taken to go over the assessment are tailored to your individual needs..
Sessions typically take place prior to the wedding and maintenance sessions give additional support in the months following the ceremony.
We were together. I forget the rest.
Walt Whitman
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