Couples Therapy
Couples present in treatment for a variety of problems, including communication issues, infidelity, conflict with extended family, financial stressors, addiction, psychiatric illness, adjustment to major life transitions, family crisis, and parenting.
Premarital counseling is sometimes the motivation for seeking intervention, to help solidify the couple’s values, goals, commitment, and dreams.
Some couples are conflict avoidant and tend to build resentments that occasionally explode, which may be the moment where they choose to engage in couples therapy. Other couples who seek treatment are constantly engaging in heated arguments and seem unable to compromise, develop mutual understanding, and coexist as a healthy partnership.
In cases where there is violence in the relationship, or extreme emotional, verbal, and financial abuse, couples therapy is considered unsafe, counterindicated, and not clinically appropriate. If you are in a domestic violence relationship, consider individual therapy to help work through related issues.
Deborah works actively in couples sessions to help identify your goals for therapy based upon your needs, preferences, and specific problems. Couples therapy is generally short term and solution focused. Many couples start to notice improvements and positive changes after a few sessions. A neutral third party who mediates discussion and shares observations can prompt conscious awareness of problems, solutions, and strengths. Couples therapy can give you the tools to approach your relationship in a new and healthier way.