My approach to couples counseling starts with an initial 90-minute session together, where we’ll discuss the issues from both perspectives. This time also serves to get acquainted and evaluate your dedication to the therapy process. At the end of this session, each individual will be given a link to fill out the Gottman Assessment. This detailed and confidential assessment offers a comprehensive look at your relationship dynamics, and the results are kept private from your partner.

Following this, I schedule a separate 45-minute session with each partner to delve into the Gottman Assessment’s findings more thoroughly.

We then reconvene for a joint session to formulate the treatment plan, establish objectives, and commence the therapeutic journey.

Every treatment plan for a couple will be customized to fit the needs of the couple. In most cases, you will need to be committed to 6-10 couple sessions. Couples are usually scheduled once per week.

Couples counseling is an investment. Regular rate is $170 per session. We offer reduced fees through OpenPath Collective with reduced fees as low as $70. We have a limited number of zero-pay grants available based on counselor availability and financial need. We also offer financing through CareCredit with 6,12,18 month no-interest plans.

Couples counseling can be a highly effective tool for improving relationships, but its success depends on various factors, including the willingness of both partners to participate actively and openly in the process. Here are some key considerations to understand whether couples counseling might work for your relationship:

Commitment to the Process
– Mutual Willingness: Both partners need to be willing to engage in the counseling process, explore their feelings, and make changes. Resistance from one partner can hinder progress.
– Open Communication: Success often relies on the ability to communicate openly and honestly in sessions, providing a platform for understanding each other’s perspectives and feelings.

The Role of the Counselor
– Neutral Ground: A skilled therapist provides a safe, neutral environment where both partners can express their thoughts and feelings without judgment.
– Tools and Strategies: Counselors offer tools and strategies for communication, conflict resolution, and understanding each other’s needs and behaviors, aiming to improve the relationship dynamic.

Goals and Expectations
– Clear Objectives: Having clear, shared goals for what you wish to achieve through counseling can guide the process and measure progress.
– Realistic Expectations: Understanding that change takes time and effort is crucial. Counseling is not a quick fix but a journey towards understanding and improvement.

Factors Influencing Success
– Timing: The earlier couples seek counseling after recognizing issues, the better. Waiting too long can lead to resentment and a deeper entrenchment of problems.
– Work Outside Sessions: The application of learned strategies and changes in behavior outside of sessions is critical for success. Therapy is not just about what happens in sessions but how you integrate insights into your daily life.
– Individual Issues: Sometimes, individual issues such as mental health problems or past traumas can impact the relationship. Addressing these personal issues can be an essential part of improving the relationship overall.

Outcomes

– Improved Communication: Many couples experience improved communication and understanding, learning how to listen actively and express themselves effectively.
– Resolution of Specific Issues: Counseling can help address and resolve specific issues that have been sources of conflict, such as finances, intimacy, or parenting.
– Strengthened Connection: Through counseling, couples often find a renewed sense of connection and appreciation for each other.

It’s Not a Guarantee
While many couples experience significant improvements in their relationships through counseling, it’s not a guarantee. In some cases, counseling may reveal that the best path forward for both individuals is separation. However, even in these situations, counseling can provide valuable tools for navigating the breakup more amicably.

Conclusion
Couples counseling has the potential to make a profound impact on relationships, but its effectiveness hinges on the commitment, effort, and openness of both partners. If you’re considering couples counseling, it’s a sign of strength and a willingness to work towards a healthier, happier relationship. Remember, seeking help is a positive step forward, and with the right approach, many couples find counseling to be a transformative experience. If you’re unsure or facing significant challenges, reaching out to a professional for a consultation can be a helpful first step to determine if couples counseling is right for you.

Sex and intimacy issues are common topics in couples counseling, and addressing them is a crucial part of fostering a healthier, more fulfilling relationship. Here’s how sex is typically approached in the context of couples therapy:

Open and Safe Communication

• Creating a Safe Space: Therapists aim to create a safe, non-judgmental environment where both partners feel comfortable discussing sensitive topics like sex and intimacy.
• Facilitating Open Dialogue: Counselors help couples develop the skills to communicate their needs, desires, and concerns about their sexual relationship openly and respectfully.

Exploring Underlying Issues

• Identifying Root Causes: Therapy often explores the underlying issues that may be affecting sexual intimacy, such as emotional disconnect, trust issues, past traumas, or body image concerns.
• Addressing Emotional Intimacy: Emotional intimacy is frequently a focus, as it’s closely linked to physical intimacy. Strengthening the emotional bond can often enhance the sexual relationship.

Education and Exploration

Educational Component: Therapists may provide education on sexual health, the sexual response cycle, and the impact of stress, age, and health on sexuality to dispel myths and promote understanding.

• Encouraging Exploration: Couples might be encouraged to explore their sexual desires and boundaries, discuss fantasies, and experiment with new ways of expressing physical affection.

Working on Physical Intimacy

• Exercises and Homework: Therapists may suggest specific exercises or “homework” to help couples reconnect physically and rebuild intimacy. This could include non-sexual physical touch, date nights, or communication exercises about sexual preferences.
• Addressing Dysfunctions: When sexual dysfunctions are present, therapy may involve working on these issues directly, sometimes in collaboration with medical professionals or sex therapists.

Building a Healthy Sexual Relationship

• Setting Realistic Expectations: Counseling helps couples set realistic expectations about their sex life, acknowledging that it can fluctuate due to various life stages and stresses.
• Fostering a Positive Sexual Environment: The goal is to foster a positive, affirming environment around sex, where both partners feel valued and satisfied.

Respect for Boundaries and Privacy

• Respecting Boundaries: Therapists are mindful of each partner’s comfort levels and boundaries when discussing sex and intimacy, ensuring that the conversation remains respectful and productive.
• Confidentiality and Sensitivity: Conversations about sex are handled with the utmost confidentiality and sensitivity, recognizing the vulnerability involved in these discussions.

Conclusion

Addressing sex in couples counseling is about much more than just the physical act. It encompasses emotional intimacy, communication, understanding, and respect. A therapist’s role is to guide couples in openly discussing and exploring their sexual relationship within a framework of mutual respect and understanding, helping them to overcome challenges and enhance their connection. If sex and intimacy are areas of concern in your relationship, seeking couples counseling can be a constructive step toward resolving these issues and strengthening your bond.