HELPING YOU CREATE A LIFE WHERE YOU THRIVE NOT JUST SURVIVE

BUILDING BETTER RELATIONSHIPS

Challenges in long-term relationships are inevitable. But they are also a chance to learn more about each other and ultimately yourself. Rather than look at your struggles as an abnormality or as another problem to be solved, I approach these challenges as an opportunity to create deeper connection in your relationship and to enrich your experience of love and commitment. In our work together, I will help you:

• Communicate in ways that fosters clarity, connection, and empathy
• Learn to navigate conflict
• Create more mutual understanding and effective problem solving
• Strengthen your bonds of friendship and intimacy
• Heal the wounds of disconnection, disappointment, and betrayal to clear a path for a stronger relationship

Common issues in couples therapy:

• Chronic conflict
• Infidelity
• Sexual intimacy
• Infertility
• Physical and mental illness
• Financial problems
• Premarital concerns
• Divorce, remarriage and blended families
• Life transitions (from new parenthood to loss of empty nesting)
• Cultural and religious differences

PRE-MARITAL COUNSELING

This specific type of counseling helps couples prepare for marriage.  I work with you together to build a strong, healthy relationship so that you have a better chance for a stable and satisfying marriage.  This counseling also helps you identify weaknesses that could become bigger problems during your marriage.  I will help you learn to resolve conflicts fairly and in a way that brings you closer.  The essense of pre-marital counseling is to prepare you for married life by helping you achieve a better understanding of your own, and your partner's needs and expectations.  There are generally three goals

1. For those that are very certain about getting married, giving them the understanding and the tools necessary to be able to negotiate the road ahead.

2. Helping those that are uncertain to have more certainty about getting married.

3. Helping the couple to come to the realization that they are not meant to be together or that the time is not right for marriage.  

BREAK-UP, SEPARATION AND DIVORCE

Couples therapy isn’t just for people who want to find a better way to be together. Some couples may not be sure whether they should stay together at all. Knowing the right thing to do can feel impossible when emotions like fear, anger, sadness are running high. And sometimes there are children involved, making the question that much more complicated and frightening. I offer clients a calm and supportive environment where both people can address these issues in a safe and sane way. Working in joint and individual sessions, I can help you navigate confusion, fear, and doubt so you can make decisions that feel sound and healthy. Through the process, my clients arrive at a place where they feel confident in their decisions and are free from the resentments and hostility or panic and insecurity that usually come with these relationship decisions. For those who decide to end a relationship where children are involved, I help you work through complex co-parenting issues so that damage is minimized and the best interest of the whole family can be protected and nurtured.  

Parenting Agreements and Parent Coordination

Often a parenting agreement is needed and can be created in this setting minimizing conflict and the additional emotional and monetary costs of the court process.  In situations where conflict is already high, I can help famiiles transition through the seperation process quickly by managing the conflict.  I use a mixture of my education, mediation and arbitration training and counseling skills to reduce the amount of conflict the family is experiencing.  The underlying focus remains on the children's best interests.  This process is designed to help parents implement and comply with court orders or parenting plans, to make timely decisions in a manner consistent with the developmental and pschological needs of the children, to reduce the damaging confluct between the parents and to diminish patterns of needless litigation.

Child Custody and Access Assessments

Parental divorce requires a restructuring of parental rights and responsibilities in relation to the children.  When parents are unable to reach an agreement, the court often is involved to help determine the amount of authority and physical contact each parent will have with the child(ren).  The courts typically apply a "best interest of the child" standard in their decison making process.  In order to makes these decisions, there are times the court or the parents will request a child custody and access assessment.  After a comprehensive exploration of the needs of the children within their family and environment I would make recommendations relavent to custody and/or access.

COUPLES THERAPY TRAINING AND EXPERTISE

I have extensive training and experience as a couples therapist.  My work incorporates a variety of approaches and influences, in each case, customized to your needs and goals, including:

• Family Systems Theory
• Gottman therapy
• Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT)
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Mindfulness and Compassion
• Theories of Attachment and Neuroscience

FAMILY COUNSELING

There are times when families face difficulties in the family life cycle.  You may need help dealing with divorce, anger management, addictions, finances, conflicts and other issues complicating family relationships.  I can help you discuss these issues, overcome challenges and nurture change and development within your relationships and your lives.  I provide a safe space for the disclosure of secrets, emotions and experiences that may be difficult to discuss.  

Family counseling provides family members with skills and tools to effectively deal with their issues, implement changes and reach their goals.  It helps clients communicate and solve problems effectively, build and maintain trust with the purpose of developing a satisfying relationship among all members of the family.