Couples
General Information
Every relationship experiences periods of difficulty. Even in committed and caring partnerships, couples may struggle with communication, recurring conflict, emotional distance, trust issues, or the impact of significant life changes. Couples therapy provides a structured and supportive space to explore these challenges together and work toward healthier ways of relating.
I offer couples therapy to support partners who wish to improve communication, better understand each other’s emotional needs, manage conflict more effectively, and strengthen their relationship. Therapy may also be helpful during periods of transition such as becoming parents, relocation, illness, loss, or other stressful life events that place strain on the relationship.
My work with couples is informed by evidence-based psychological approaches and tailored to the unique dynamics of each relationship. The focus is on understanding interaction patterns, emotional processes, and underlying factors that contribute to difficulties, while supporting the development of more adaptive and supportive ways of connecting.
How Couples Therapy Can Help
- Improving communication and mutual understanding
- Managing conflict and reducing recurring arguments
- Addressing emotional distance or loss of intimacy
- Rebuilding trust after relational strain
- Navigating major life transitions and stressors
- Strengthening emotional connection and cooperation
What to expect
Couples therapy sessions usually last approximately 70 minutes and are conducted with both partners present. In couples therapy, the client is the relationship itself, rather than one partner individually. This approach helps maintain neutrality, fairness, and trust within the therapeutic process.
To ensure objectivity and protect the therapeutic alliance, I do not conduct ongoing individual therapy with either partner alongside couples therapy. Concurrent individual and couples therapy with the same therapist is not permitted due to ethical considerations, particularly around confidentiality and trust.
Individual meetings may take place at the very beginning of therapy if clinically indicated. However, it is important to note that information shared during these initial individual meetings is not kept confidential from the other partner, as transparency is essential when the therapeutic focus is the couple.
In some cases, it may become clear early in the process that one partner would benefit more from individual therapy, and couples therapy may be paused or discontinued. This is typically determined during the initial stages of treatment and discussed openly with both partners.
Couples therapy is conducted in a respectful, non-judgmental, and confidential environment, with the aim of helping both partners feel heard, understood, and supported while working toward meaningful and sustainable change.