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Sharing life with someone special brings a profound sense of purpose and meaning. Whether you are married, in a partnership, or transitioning into a committed relationship, finding love can feel like a beautiful dream. A healthy relationship fulfills our need for companionship and belonging. It provides a sanctuary from the pressures of the outside world, offering a safe place for us to rest and rejuvenate. It serves as an anchor in an otherwise chaotic world. Regardless of how wonderful a relationship may seem at first, every partnership faces challenges that must be addressed to insure long-term happiness and satisfaction.​
Central to all relationship issues is a breakdown in communication. While everyone engages in some level of communication, not all communication is effective or healthy. As adults, we often model the environments we grew up in, which may include dysfunctional or ineffective communication patterns. Counseling teaches active listening skills to clients, empowering them to effectively express their feelings and needs while deeply understanding their partner's concerns. Utilizing the research and methodology developed by the Gottman Institute, I provide clients with relational tools that help them resolve conflicts, avoid unnecessary fights, and communicate their needs and desires in a healthy and constructive manner.
Healthy relationships can be disrupted by several common problems, each requiring attention and resolution. One of the most significant issues is intimacy. In troubled relationships, couples often experience a decline in both emotional and physical intimacy, leading them to feel more like roommates than partners. This disconnect can foster feelings of bitterness and resentment, and in severe cases, may push partners to seek fulfillment outside their primary relationship. Counseling can play a crucial role in helping couples understand each other's needs and create a roadmap to reestablish emotional safety and physical intimacy. By rebuilding emotional trust, partners can restore physical intimacy and foster a healthy, loving connection.
Financial stress is another factor that can undermine healthy relationships. Couples may face burdens from job loss, unexpected expenses, or poor money management, which can create additional strain on an otherwise flourishing partnership. Failing to establish guidelines and goals for managing finances early in a relationship can result in contentious disagreements and possible long-term financial instability. Counseling provides a safe space for couples to engage in healthy, productive discussions about money, helping them set clear spending guidelines and resolve future financial disputes in a constructive manner.
Extended family conflict is also a prevalent issue in relationships, as everyone brings their own personal baggage into a partnership. This may include challenging in-laws, children from previous marriages, or family members dealing with addiction. Dysfunctional family dynamics can create tension and stress that impact the primary relationship. Counseling allows couples to openly discuss these external issues, establish healthy boundaries, and create a framework for healthy interactions with extended family members.​
Life transitions can present unique challenges to couples. Raising children, changing careers, facing retirement, or dealing with chronic illness can bring significant stress to the relationship if not navigated thoughtfully. Counseling enables couples to view these changes as opportunities for growth and development, rather than threats that lead to disconnection. By learning to support each other through life's transitions, couples can enhance their resilience and deepen their connection and commitment to each other.
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As a counselor, I assist couples in examining their lives and uncovering the root causes that hinder them from experiencing a fulfilling relationship. I offer a safe and supportive space for partners to discuss their feelings and experiences. Through this process, I provide couples with relational tools to improve communication and establish an emotional framework that promotes safety, vulnerability, openness, and engagement. We discuss effective methods for resolving differences and practices that keep the relationship fresh and alive. Together, we work to empower couples to confidently navigate life's challenges with love, respect, and renewed commitment.
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Initial session consists of a 90-minute session with each member of the couple.
Subsequent sessions run from 60 – 90 minutes.
Session are billed at 150.00/hour.