Couples

Partnering with another human is “risky business” full of  big decisions, big emotions, negotiations, and changes.  We often feel like we are stuck in a pattern or engaging in unknown territory.  

Do you and your partner keep having the same fight; and when it’s done, you don’t even remember what it was about?

Perhaps you’ve been married or partnered for a while, and precious time that used to be reserved for your relationship is now allotted to work, children and other responsibilities.

Perhaps unresolved feelings are so built up that you don’t feel comfortable expressing your marriage problems openly or don’t know how to have honest discussions anymore, especially if confrontations often lead to silence or unhelpful outbursts.

Have unexpected events, such as an affair, career change or loss of a loved one, put a strain on a relationship you thought could survive anything?

Do you feel detached and alone in the partnership?

Are you on the brink of giving up? You may be considering divorce counseling, so that you can save on lawyer costs and have an amicable separation from your spouse.

We don’t learn how to engage in “conflict intelligently” in school.  In fact, studies show that we learn most of our conflict patterns from movies and our primary caregivers.  Conflict is not a sign a relationship is not working, in fact conflict is healthy and can lead to intimacy.  Conflict is a process, and learning how to conflict intelligently helps stop negative patterns and promotes strength and intamacy.

Couples therapy can be one of the most rewarding experiences where you can connect deeply with your partner while learning about your desires, needs and how to communicate them. 

Couples counseling can teach you to…

• Conflict intelligently by communicating more effectively
• Work through disagreements or differences
• Be assertive and get your needs met
• Create safety together to be authentic
• Let go of the past, forgive and grow into something new
• Relate in healthier ways and develop more love

My clinical approaches:

• Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy is an approach to couples therapy composed of three areas:  developmental neuroscience, attachment theory, and arousal regulation. 
• Emotionally Focused Therapy is an evidence based approach to couples therapy based on developing strategies to engage with and understand both your own emotional responses and those of significant people in your lives. 

Areas I specialize in:

• Creating healthy communication patterns
• Identifying and letting go of past traumas and triggers
• Navigating cultural differences and power dynamics
• Healing after affairs 
• Sex and intimacy problems
• Non-monogamous relationships
• LGBTQ+ issues