Communication issues are a common reason couples seek counseling. Whether you’re frequently arguing, getting stuck talking about a particular topic, or barely communicating at all, couples counseling can be a useful forum to tackle difficult topics. If you’ve been together for awhile and you want to decide whether to take that next step, or you’ve been married for several years and the distance between you has grown, I facilitate conversations to make them more productive.
One of the ways I do this is by showing you the underlying dynamics that are fueling the arguments or emotional distance. Most people never learned what healthy communication looks like so they fall back on what they saw their parents do, or didn’t do, or what culture teaches. I help couples find ways to communicate that will get them heard by their partner.
Difficulty with communication is just one of the issues that I work with. I also work with people who question whether they are still compatible with each other and if the relationship is salvageable. Perhaps it feels as though there is an emotional gulf between you and your partner, and you are uncertain whether the love and passion that brought the two of you together can be revived.
Couples therapy can be an ideal setting to gain clarity about whether to stay together or separate. I can guide your conversations and shine light on aspects of your relationship that you may not be seeing, both the strengths and obstacles. Having a set time and space each week for you and your partner to express yourselves can give you insight as to the direction you want to take.
Some of the issues I work with for both heterosexual and same sex couples are:
Multicultural relationships
Communication difficulties
Conflict management
Navigating transitions in the relationship such as marriage, children, etc.
