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Couples Counseling

Is Poor Communication Causing Struggles in Your Marriage?

Do you feel like constant miscommunications are causing arguments and tension in your relationship?

Perhaps you sense that your partner no longer understands you, or you’re missing the empathy you once shared. What used to be a warm, loving connection now feels distant and cold. You may long for the time when you were deeply in love and happy together. But now, your relationship may be weighed down by challenges such as:

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  • Constant disagreements

  • Absence of healthy boundaries

  • Reduced intimacy

  • Lack of shared goals for the future

  • Difficulty solving problems together

  • Issues of infidelity

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These struggles might be affecting your emotional and physical well-being, leading to social withdrawal or even physical symptoms like headaches, stomach pain, increased heart rate, or trouble sleeping.

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You may feel like your relationship is beyond repair, but that’s not the case. With a commitment to improving communication and deepening your connection, marriage counseling can help rebuild and strengthen your bond.​​​​

How Marital Conflict Affects You and Your Partner Differently

Marital discord can affect each partner in unique ways, depending on how both of you feel about the relationship. You may be experiencing emotional turmoil, such as:

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  • Overwhelming sadness about the state of your marriage

  • Constant worry about your future together

  • Increased tension whenever disagreements arise

  • A tendency to retreat or withdraw during conflicts

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These persistent negative emotions can take a significant toll on both your mental and physical health. The stress may start to interfere with your work life, causing distractions or absenteeism. In some cases, one or both partners may resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms like substance use.

 

The impact of marital problems extends beyond the couple. If you have children, they may also feel the effects, and shared friendships or extended family relationships may suffer. Even your spiritual community may be impacted, particularly if beliefs about marriage and divorce come into play.

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Feeling like there's no way forward?

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There is hope. With the right approach and support, you can work through the challenges in your marriage and reignite the love and connection you once shared.

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I specialize in helping couples strengthen their relationship, resolve conflicts, and deepen their bond.

Effective communication is the cornerstone of a successful relationship.

Successful relationships and marriages rely on more than just healthy communication. They thrive on mutual nurturing, the ability to support each other through difficult times, shared problem-solving, and creating a deep, common purpose together. Each partner brings their own emotional baggage, relationship history, and past wounds into the relationship, but they also bring their values, dreams, and goals. The challenges arise when couples focus only on addressing surface-level issues instead of exploring the deeper roots that may stem from past trauma or unresolved pain.

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Many relationship struggles are deeply ingrained and linked to experiences from childhood, past relationships, attachment styles, and personal narratives. Unfortunately, we often overlook how these underlying issues affect our interactions with our partners. It's easy to see the other person as the problem, rather than understanding how our own triggers and emotional baggage influence our responses to conflict. Even more challenging is recognizing the role we play in perpetuating negative cycles within the relationship.

 

Breaking free from these patterns requires more than just good intentions. It takes effective communication, self-awareness, and problem-solving skills. Couples counseling serves as a pathway to develop these skills, with the counselor acting as a guide. Think of therapy as a class where you’re learning the tools to strengthen your relationship. The goal of couples counseling is to equip you with the tools and strategies to achieve a harmonious and fulfilling relationship.

Couples Counseling Offers A Valuable Opportunity To Rediscover The Qualities And Moments That Originally Brought You And Your Partner Together

I begin by assessing the key challenges in your relationship. I take time to explore your shared goals, needs, and values, helping you uncover what unites you as a couple.

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Effective communication is the cornerstone of a strong and lasting relationship, and we focus heavily on enhancing these skills. My goal is to help you move toward each other during difficult moments, actively listen, and practice empathy. If these skills aren't naturally present in your relationship right now, I’ll guide you in developing them through therapy.

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Ultimately, my aim is to help you improve communication, gain deeper understanding, heal from past wounds, rebuild mutual respect, and strengthen your emotional bond. Each session is designed to foster empathy, deepen intimacy, and create a more meaningful connection between you and your partner.

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Therapeutic Approaches Used in Couples Counseling

I provide couples with helpful resources like handouts, homework assignments, and visual aids to reinforce the skills they learn in therapy and apply them between sessions. Additionally, I send follow-up emails after each session to offer continued support as you practice and integrate these new tools into your relationship. The following therapeutic modalities are central to my approach:

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Gottman Method for Couples: This proven approach helps couples reduce conflict and build stronger communication, intimacy, respect, and affection. I use the Gottman Method to break down barriers, foster shared goals, and cultivate empathy between partners.

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Internal Family Systems (IFS) Parts Work: IFS focuses on exploring the different “parts” of both you and your partner that may show up during interactions. By understanding how these parts contribute to tension or conflict, I help you resolve underlying issues and create a more harmonious connection.

 

Imago Dialogue: This structured communication method promotes active listening and empathy between partners. By guiding you through respectful exchanges, Imago Dialogue minimizes destructive patterns like blame, guilt, and defensiveness, allowing for healthier, more productive conversations.

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Love Languages: Understanding your partner’s preferred love language - whether it’s words of affirmation, acts of service, receiving gifts, quality time, or physical touch - can transform how you both give and receive love. This awareness helps strengthen emotional bonds and create a deeper connection.

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Many couples come to me after experiencing frequent arguments and if married, contemplating divorce. While conflict is a natural part of any relationship, the way you handle disagreements determines the success of your relationship. I am dedicated to helping you build essential skills for conflict resolution and effective communication, ensuring a stronger, more resilient partnership.

Have Questions About Couples Counseling? I’m Here to Help.

Struggling to Find Time for Marriage Counseling? Online Therapy Can Help.

I understand that busy schedules can make it hard to commit to couples counseling. That’s why online therapy offers the perfect solution for couples who need flexibility. With online counseling, you and your partner can attend sessions from the comfort of your own space, no matter where you are. Skip the commute and choose from a variety of convenient session times, including mornings and evenings, to fit your busy life. I’m here to make counseling work for you.

What If My Partner Is Reluctant to Attend Couples Counseling?

It’s not uncommon for one partner to feel uncertain about couples counseling. If this is the case, I suggest involving them in the process of initiating therapy with me. I recommend that each of you have a 15 minute complimentary consultation with me first, enabling you both to assess your respective comfort level in working with me. Also, online sessions often feel less intimidating and can serve as a great first step in exploring therapy together with a therapist that feels like a good fit.

I've Tried Couples Counseling Previously. How Will This Be Different?

It can be tough to revisit therapy after a disappointing experience. However, the success of therapy largely depends on the connection you build with your therapist. Every therapist brings his or her own set of skills and expertise to the table, and it’s important to find the right fit. I am committed to helping you with your needs and can offer fresh perspectives and effective strategies for your relationship. Don’t lose hope - every therapeutic experience has the potential to bring positive change.

Ready to Strengthen Your Marriage with Essential Skills?

If you're ready to enhance communication and intimacy in your relationship, I’m here to help. Call (347) 256-6702 today to schedule a free 20 minute discovery call, or simply click the button below to book your consultation. Let’s take the first step toward a healthier, more connected relationship!

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