Marriage / Couples Counseling is sought when couples realize that certain, ongoing issues are too challenging to pursue without a third party involved. There are issues of communication, intimacy, finances, in-laws, extended family members, children and many others that couples may face in their significant relationships.

As much as couples can feel prepared for their journey together, there are moments of uncertainty, since there is more than one person, with each person bringing in his/her own ways of coping, communicating and “being” within a relationship.

Our approach is collaborative, assisting to explore how each person can examine what he/she brings into the relationship and how his/her strengths and challenges can affect the relationship. We will process how individual upbringing and experiences affect the marriage/relationship, while teaching and reinforcing coping and communication skills.

Couples counseling helps couples of all types recognize and resolve conflicts and improve their relationships. Through counseling, you can make thoughtful decisions about rebuilding and strengthening your relationship or going your separate ways.

Marriage counseling is often short term. Marriage counseling typically includes both partners, but sometimes one partner chooses to work with a therapist alone. The specific treatment plan depends on the situation.

Marriage counseling can help couples in all types of intimate relationships — regardless of sexual orientation or marriage status.

Marriage counseling might also be helpful in cases of domestic abuse. If violence has escalated to the point that you're afraid, however, counseling alone isn't adequate. Contact the police or a local shelter or crisis center for emergency support.

Marriage / Relationship Counseling involves learning the “fair fighting rules”, learning patterns of healthy communication, reinforcing trust and commitment, learning about emotionality and intimacy, while tackling individual differences and valuing other relationships outside of the partnership.

Sometimes, marriage / relationship counseling involves the “path of letting go”, understanding that resolving conflicts may equate to answering questions that couples do not want to confront.

Ultimately, marriage / couple counseling/therapy considers each individual, his/her own beliefs and culture, brought into the relationship and the evolution of each individual and the couple.