Couples counseling is designed to help you facilitate communication and problem solving in a safe, objective environment. The goals of couples counseling are to help you communicate effectively, build and maintain trust, and to develop a satisfying and fulfilling relationship.

Below are several key areas of difficulty for couples in which I specialize. If you have questions about your specific problem, I'd be happy to consult with you to determine if your needs are appropriate for couples counseling.

Sometimes it's hard to resolve problems, and you might find yourself having frequent arguments or misunderstandings.

It's easy to view disagreements as large problems, and sometimes it's even more difficult to acknowledge the positive actions of your partner.

Effective communication skills are the foundation of a rewarding relationship.

Knowing how to share your feelings, state your needs clearly, and communicate your thoughts accurately can dramatically improve your feelings of satisfaction in a relationship.

I work with couples to learn effective communication skills that will enhance their feelings of fulfillment with the relationship.

Healthy sexual functioning is important to your relationship.

Difficulties with a low desire or avoidance of sex, lack of sexual enjoyment, problems with sexual arousal and performance, or a lack of sexual responsiveness can be dissatisfying for both partners.

Therapy can help you increase your desire and enjoyment of sexual activity, help you maintain physical arousal during sexual interactions, and increase your general relationship satisfaction.

I work with couples to solve sexual problems and have a satisfying sexual relationship.

Most of us believe that conflict is awful, and that in a disagreement only one party can win - the other party always loses.

Conflict is a part of life - and learning how to handle it well can help your relationship grow.

I help couples learn how to challenge their assumptions about conflict - and learn more effective ways to resolve disagreements.

The goal is to understand that conflict is inevitable - but that both parties can win when you work together.

Are you thinking of getting married or moving in together?

Do you have issues that you might need an objective party to help you with?

Are there issues you'd like to resolve before you make a significant commitment?

Pre-marital counseling can help with these issues - and provides a forum for you to explore your thoughts and feelings about each other in a safe environment.

I help couples explore their concerns and develop healthy communication patterns before they get married.

You might feel more confident about your decision and be more clear about what it takes to make a relationship successful by addressing your concerns before making a larger commitment.

Infidelity

When a partner has been unfaithful it makes the relationship suffer and you might feel angry, betrayed, or vengeful.

Whether there has been a violation of the expectations of the relationship that was sexual or emotional, couples counseling can help to clarify the issues and begin repairing your relationship.

I help couples determine appropriate social, emotional, and sexual boundaries with others and work with you to renew your commitments to the relationship.

I help you find the strengths in your relationship and work toward resolving the pain.

When jealousy is out of control, evidenced by things like frequent accusations, suspicious behavior, or extreme controlling behavior, you might consider couples counseling.

When jealousy is not addressed it can lead to distrust and anger, or even symptoms of anxiety.

I work with couples to reduce or eliminate the frequency of jealous thoughts and behaviors, reducing the likelihood of anger and controlling behavior.

Couples counseling can help you restore feelings of trust and improve relationship satisfaction.

Drug and Alcohol Abuse

If you find yourself arguing with your partner over the issue of alcohol or drugs and find that they consistently fail to maintain their promise to reduce or quit using, you might consider couples counseling to help you reduce the negative effects this problem is having on your relationship.

I work with couples to address problem drug and alcohol use and to establish an environment of mutual trust and respect, which will help improve your relationship and help your partner on the road to sobriety and/or recovery.

Conflict about financial issues can be a source of distress for couples. Arguments about how much money is spent, how money is spent, or how much money is not being saved are common and can lead to dissatisfaction in the relationship.

I help couples reach mutual agreements about financial matters impacting their relationship.

You can expect to reduce arguments over how much money is spent and how much should be saved, and begin to design long-term financial plans for your relationship.

Disagreement between you and your partner over religious faith or practices, or differences in spiritual beliefs, can be a source of conflict and distress in your relationship.

Discord between you and your partner about deeply held core beliefs and values can affect how you relate to each other, or can impact your approach to parenting.

Treatment and Outcomes

I help couples recognize developmental changes in religious and/or spiritual beliefs and help you bring tolerance to your relationship.

You can strengthen your relationship by identifying the advantages of your beliefs, respecting each other's views, and accommodating each other's religious/spiritual practices.

Resolving these issues can bring a new level of intimacy to your relationship.

Have you been in your relationship for a long time and feel things have gotten stale?

Are you feeling like you're in a rut that you can't get out of?

Patterns develop in relationships over time, and sometimes those patterns don't inspire or re-energize us.

I help couples discover the patterns in their relationship and generate new ways to feel renewed.

You and your partner can get help with developing a sense of renewal in your relationship.

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Other Issues

If you have a problem that is not listed here, please contact me to discuss how I may be of service.

I've tried to highlight some of the most common problems that couples encounter, but this list is by no means comprehensive!

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