Committed romantic relationships have their own unique life cycle. Relationships often begin with an intoxicating sense of optimism and exploration as partners get to know each other, fueled with passion and heightened sexual attraction. In subsequent stages of the relationship, couples transition into a deeper understanding of each other, a greater commitment to each other and the relationship, and often experience an enhanced sense of connection. However, along with the love, affection, and sense of partnership that a committed relationship can bring, it is not uncommon for partners to experience moments (or many moments!) of uncertainty, frustration, lack of connection, loss of intimacy, and strained communication. Perhaps, despite loving your partner, you may feel that you are no longer in love with them. Maybe stressors such as job and family obligations, infidelity or loss of trust, financial issues, differences in values, or emotional distance have left you in a state of anger or confusion. Perhaps you have come to a point where you are wondering whether you even want to continue the relationship. Or maybe you are looking for a way to revitalize your relationship and forge a deeper connection with your partner.
Couple therapy can be of use throughout all stages of the relationship life cycle. Whether you are looking to work with your partner to improve communication and stop cycles of blame, are involved in a relationship that has come to a point of crisis, or are part of a newer couple that is interested in establishing healthy relationship patterns, couple therapy offers a safe, unbiased space to explore hurt feelings, disappointment, and concern, as well as feelings of love, affection, and hope.
Couple therapy can help to:
-identify and understand relationship patterns, history, context, and issues
-build relational intimacy
-gain insight into relationship dynamics
-establish new patterns of interacting
-build skills to enable constructive disagreements and healthy conflict resolution
-rebuild a sense of partnership and collaboration
-create long term strategies and solutions for relationship issues
-develop clarity on needs, desires, and expectations within the relationship
-untangle power struggles and patterns of blame
AREAS OF FOCUS:
- Blended families
- Communication skills
- Conflict resolution
- Emotional intimacy and connection
- Establishing (or re-establishing) trust
- Family life cycles
- Infidelity and emotional affairs
- Life stressors (illness, job loss, financial pressures, relocation, etc.)
- Loss of passion
- Parenting and/or co-parenting
- Polyamorous and open relationships
- Sexuality and sexual intimacy