Couples Counseling
Couples often seek counseling when they are experiencing difficulty in their relationship, when they want to improve communication, or work a particular aspect of a joint life - parenting differences, money conflicts, in-law issues and sexual problems. Sometimes there has been a recent trauma in their relationship—infidelity, loss of a child, medical issues—which need to be processed by the couple so as to move forward in a healthy way, and to grieve the losses that have occurred. Whatever the issues, I can help you work through the unresolved issues in the relationship, the place where the argument gets stuck each time.
Working on your relationship is one of the most important things you can do for yourself, as our partners are a hugely important source of emotional support, understanding, and nurturing. However, relating to another person long term, with the challenges of our busy complicated lives, brings its own unique challenges. Sometimes during arguments we react in ways we don't entirely understand ourselves, often relating to our own way of coping with conflict learned in our family of origin.
I am very much informed by Dr. Sue Johnson's work on attachment and relationships. I help couples move beyond the surface dispute, to understand the deeper attachment needs that are being ignited in arguments, and to gain insight and compassion into each other's different needs.