Couples/Marriage Therapy
Couples/Marriage therapy is a process where couples work with a trained therapist to process address a variety of issues. Issues can include stress, trauma, financial issues, reproductive issues, loss of connection, affairs, communication issues, or addictions. Therapy happens in a safe and confidential environment. My therapy style is client centered with a systems perspective. I believe that each person’s actions/reactions impact the relationship, so success is more likely when both partners are active participants in the process. My goal is to help couples identify and reach their relationship goals.
Couples/Marriage therapy sessions are generally 45-50 minutes in length. Generally both partners are in session, but there may be times when I meet with each person individually. This is a place for clients to explore their feelings, beliefs, or behaviors, work through challenging or influential memories, identify aspects of their lives that they would like to change, better understand themselves and others, set goals, and work toward desired change.
In the first session I ask lots of questions and do a couple’s assessment. This gives me a good idea of each partner, including strengths, needs, and desired outcome. I like to get both partner’s feedback about what he/she thinks would be helpful and together we decide what direction to go. Sometimes that is continuing couples/marriage therapy, other times it may be adding a referral for another service (ie individual therapy, substance abuse assessment, etc.). Once clients identify the goals to work on in therapy, we work to determine how often session should be and evaluate if they need to continue. Some clients may only come for 1-2 sessions and find relief and others may come regularly for several years. Every couple is different, and again, there is not one right or wrong way to do therapy. It is also important to note that you may not feel like I am a good fit for you and that’s OK. My goal is for the individuals who come to my office to find what works for them.
