Couples Therapy

Over the past 30 years of counseling couples I have seen four main challenges to having healthy and enjoyable relationships: difficulty communicating effectively, difficulty regulating emotions effectively which makes it hard to communicate or problem solve effectively, letting our past experiences impact how we see and interact with each other, and difficulty taking responsibility for our part in the challenges in our relationships. Thus, I strive to support couples in learning and practicing effective communication skills and emotional regulation skills.

I also support my clients in identifying and taking responsibility for their part in dysfunctional relationship patterns and then learning and practicing new healthier ways of seeing things and behaviors to create healthier patterns in their relationship. I do all this from a heart-centered and non-judgemental approach without taking sides, validating both people so they feel heard, understood and safe to participate in the couple’s work.

I have experience and work with a variety of issues that many couples face. For instance: couples deciding whether or not to continue in the relationship, communication problems, money issues, emotional and sexual intimacy issues, boundary issues, parenting issues, one or both partners experiencing mood issues, infidelity, problems with one or both partner’s family of origin impacting the relationship, and having a difficult time adjusting to significant changes impacting the relationship (i.e. moving in together, having a child, job changes, moving, divorce, empty nest, aging, and health problems).