Couples and Relationship Counseling

We all know that relationships take some hard work to make sure we have a happy, loving, and satisfying relationship. A lot of the time, partners can resolve difficulties that arrive on their own. But, other times, partners can get stuck in certain issues that their regular resolution strategies just are not working. Also, our lives are often in an ever changing state where new or different needs may come up for one or both partners.

Relationship (couples) counseling isn’t just for partners who encounter what they feel is a large problem in a relationship. It can be simply working through something smaller and in fact, the earlier we intervene, the easier it is as one problem can create a web of other problems as well. Relationship counseling may not be about problems either! It can be about wanting to address each others needs better, strengthen the relationship, navigate upcoming major life changes together, and more! Keep in mind too that relationship counseling isn’t just for people who are married or have been together for longer amounts of time. It can be beneficial for first relationships, simply dating, young relationships, older relationships, as well as relationships with a large age gap, same-sex relationships, gender diverse relationships, interracial relationships, etc. Regardless of the stage and state of your relationship, therapy may be a great way to go in resolving issues or even building the relationship in different ways.

If you haven’t noticed, I have been using the term “relationship counseling” instead of couples counseling. “Couples counseling” has been the typical term for this type of therapy, but I prefer to call it “relationship counseling” as this is more inclusive for people who are in relationships that aren’t just a monogamous and/or married couple, but can include open relationships, poly relationships, ethical non-monogamy, and more.

What can relationship counseling help with? Problems that often arise in relationships are difficulties with communication, sexual concerns, conflict resolution, infidelity, trust, commitment, passion, and other stressors creating strain on the relationship. But as I have mentioned before, relationship counseling is helpful in many other ways too such as building a stronger relationship, addressing how to navigate new life change, pre-marital counseling, preparing to move in with each other, and more.

How do I work in relationship counseling? I use both emotion focused therapy as well as Gottman methods when working with relationship clients. But, sometimes there may be a specific problem that people would like to address itself in which we can use a solution-focus method for that. Ultimately, as a relationship counselor, I will meet you where you are at and will use methods maybe even from different view points to fit the goal at hand.