Couples and Relationship Therapy

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Reasons to start couples therapy:

  • You want to deepen intimacy and connection

  • You need help navigating big life changes

  • You’re struggling with communication

  • You’re getting engaged or married and want non-religious premarital counseling

  • There are things you want to improve in your relationship and are interested in a safe, supportive space with a non biased 3rd party to help work toward these goals

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Neurodivergent couples therapy:

  • For neurodivergent couples where one or both partners has ADHD or Autism, it can often feel as if you’re speaking different languages. There may be built up resentment as one partner over functions and the other feels belittled. There may be many moments where one was trying to connect with the other, but signals were missed or misinterpreted and emotional scars were formed.

  • Couples therapy often assumes that both partners are accessing language and emotions in the same way. With neurodivergent couples, this often is not the case and it’s important to adjust accordingly.

  • When working with neurodivergent couples, I place extra emphasis on helping folks navigate nervous system differences, processing differences, and communication pattern differences. We work to get to the underlying messages each person is holding and we collaborate to build structures that foster partnership through these differences.

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OCD couples therapy:

  • For couples where one or both partners is wrestling with OCD, emotional conversations can feel like a landmine.

  • Things like reassurance, validation and problem solving may at times be beneficial for the connection and at other times may make things worse. It’s often hard to find the line and this may feel confusing and discouraging for both partners.

  • In my work with couples where one or both has OCD, we work to deepen understanding of how OCD shows up, learn tools for staying connected even when OCD is in the room, and move past the OCD to get to the heart of the emotional experience of each partner.

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What to expect in couples therapy:

  • Most importantly, a safe and unbiased space to work through the challenges and enhance the joys of your relationship

  • First - an 80 minute session to understand your story as a couple and your goals for the future of your relationship (if you don’t have specific goals, we will create some together!)

  • Second - 50 minute sessions with each individual to understand the history you bring to the relationship

  • Ongoing - 80 minute sessions recommended weekly at the beginning of treatment to start to shift patterns at home and deepen connection

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Clinical approach for couples therapy:

  • I am trained in the Gottman Method (levels 1&2). The Gottmans are the preeminent couples and relationship psychology researchers and have set the standard for relationship therapy best practices.

  • The Gottman Method focuses on friendship as the foundation and then layering on research backed tools for improved communication, shifting harmful patterns, repairing after arguments, navigating betrayal, deepening connection, and more.

  • I also take a multidisciplinary lens, understanding that things like neurodivergence, addiction, trauma and other mental health diagnoses show up in our relationships as much as our personal lives. My training in trauma modalities like EMDR and Brainspotting as well as experience treating a wide range of diagnoses throughout my career allows me to support clients in more specific areas as needed.

Interested in learning more? Schedule a 15 minute complimentary phone consultation!

Schedule a Free Phone Consultation!