Couples Therapy
Marital Therapy, also referred to as couples therapy is a form of psychotherapy where couples can discuss issues in a safe space. Therapy helps a couple to recognize conflict and take steps to improve their relationship. It can be challenging because it can get uncomfortable, but the discomfort creates a space for change. Consider the analogy of someone who breaks a bone. If that person decides not to get the bone properly set and allows it to "heal" improperly, after many issues, if that person decides to go to the doctor for proper care, its likely that the bone will have to be "reset." Having the bone reset could be very painful, but necessary and worth the pain for proper healing, development, and growth.
I'd like to provide a brief disclaimer. The hour spent in session will be very helpful and I will need your participation. The most important and effective participation however, is the work you put into outside of the session. Too often, couples expect a transformation within their one hour session, but the best results come from the couples that are committed to the work and assignments outside of the session.
Family Therapy
Family Therapy is also a form of psychotherapy that can help families improve communication and resolve conflicts. More specifically, it is designed to address issues that effect psychological, emotional, and overall health of the family. I believe in a family-centered approach because it is important to nurture change and development. This form of therapy tends to view change in terms of the systems of interaction between family members. Having family participation is healthy and imperative because we were all born into a family. The family is important because it affects who we are and who we become--for the good and not so good. Taking a family centered approach to therapy often benefits the client regardless of the origin of the issue(s).
F.A.Q.s
What if my spouse does not want to participate?
Still come. Having challenges in marriage is already difficult and will be even more difficult having a spouse that does not want to participate. However, I'd like to help with providing some skills and tools for you to take back to your marriage that can still effect change.
What members of my family are required to attend?
No one is required to attend. Participating members are always helpful. When the time is right, we can discuss who we can invite from the family to the session. We do not want anything about the process to be forced.
What if my family members can't be at every session?
That's fine. We'll prepare for who we know will be in attendance. We do ask that members do their best to make attendance a priority.
What if I think my marriage is too far gone for counseling, is it worth it?
My coach always told me to leave it all on the field--win, lose, or draw.
Will you do individual sessions with my spouse and I?
Yes, it's helpful in order to achieve maximum productivity. I will assess how often we need to do so.