Couples Therapy

Similar to individual therapy, deciding to seek out couples therapy is a big step. That’s why I work with you and your partner to collaboratively create goals and space for each individual to be heard. I refer to Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) and the research conducted at the Gottman Institute to enhance my couples work.  EFT uses elements of person-centered therapy and attachment theory to help couples create healing bonds within their relationship that may facilitate successful communication between partners. Similarly, Gottman’s findings, from his 40 years of research on effective relationships, help couples to build skills to increase intimacy and decrease negative patterns that may lead to fractured relationships. Couples therapy can be powerful in its ability to heal your bond with your partner, improve communication, and rebuild trust. 

More About Couples Therapy:

Many benefits can come from couples therapy.

Most couples seek therapy to improve communication and strengthen their affection. Therapy can help couples address many additional problems and goals. For example, research has shown couples therapy to be effective in the treatment of depression, the enhancement of sexual satisfaction and the resolution of issues related to affairs.

 Relationship satisfaction strongly affects life satisfaction.

Enhancing your relationship can bring secondary benefits. Satisfied partners tend to live longer, be physically healthier, and make better parents. Satisfaction in a loving relationship has a profound impact on general life satisfaction, more so than financial security, physical health, or job satisfaction.

 Couples therapy is highly effective.

While the benefit of therapy cannot be guaranteed for every couple, research shows couples therapy to be highly effective, similar in strength to other established life-enhancing activities such as education and medical care.

Your commitment improves therapy results.

Active engagement in therapy is a strong predictor of success. Improving communication and closeness often requires thoughtful re-consideration of old attitudes and effortful practice of new relationship skills. Your contribution to your relationship between sessions will help your therapy work faster and last longer. 

It helps to be prepared for bumps in the road.

Even therapy that is enjoyable, enriching and highly effective can be uncomfortable at times. Addressing essential issues can be emotionally painful. While making strides in therapy, couples should be prepared to experience some discomfort and an occasional disappointing step backward.

 Express your preferences about your therapy.

Any time you have a negative reaction to something that occurs in therapy or an opinion about what you and your partner need, please share this with me. While I may be knowledgeable about couples’ happiness and couples therapy, customizing therapy to fit your specific needs is much easier when I receive consistent feedback from both of you.