Couples seek psychotherapy for many reasons and at many different stages of their lives, even when they are not experiencing overt difficulties. Some couples seek the psychotherapy to strengthen their bond, relate with more ease or prepare for the next step in their lives together. Others come in crisis, uncertain of their futures, or whether resolution of their problems is even possible. Even if you and your significant others are experiencing serious conflicts, psychotherapy may be able to assist you. Some of our clients find that just beginning counseling can restore a sense of goodwill between them and their partner. When combined with the support and guidance of a skilled therapist, this goodwill can form the foundation for renewed or deeper closeness and sharing. Whether you are in a gender-diverse, heterosexual, same-sex or polyamorous relationship, psychotherapy can help you navigate the inevitable challenges. The FAQ, Philosophy and How to Select a Therapist pages may also be helpful in answering questions.
Couples and relationship counseling can help you:
- Reconnect emotionally
- Affirm and renew your commitment to one another
- Cultivate the opportunities for learning and development that can derived from the thoughtful exploration of your problems or difficulties
- Understand one another and your strengths and vulnerabilities in relationship
- Understand the correlation between your early lives and your experience in relationships
- Understand and express your needs authentically and non-reactively
- Understand what most strengthens your feelings of closeness
- Understand the origins of feelings of mistrust or reactivity
- Develop strategies and skills for managing and resolving habitual tensions or conflicts and for communicating more effectively when stressed
- Develop or adopt rituals or practices that will support and nurture your life as a couple
- Develop your capacity for self-reflection, intimacy and trust, as well as emotional regulation when arguing or distressed
- Cope with infertility, infidelity, sexual difficulties, divorce, remarriage, financial or employment stresses, loss, grief, parenting conflicts, cultural tensions, a personal history of trauma, depression, anxiety, disability, illness, care-giving or aging, or any other source of stress or adjustment in your lives