couples
Couples Counseling
I specialize in working with couples who are struggling with relationship issues in the context of building and growing their families. Specifically, I work with partners who are dealing with infertility or loss, postpartum concerns, or challenges as new parents. During these difficult times, even the strongest couples may feel disconnected or less satisfied in their relationship.
As a therapist who understands both relationships and reproductive/postpartum issues, I am uniquely positioned to help couples work through their challenges, improve their communication, strengthen their bond, and thrive during this time.
I am trained in both Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy and Gottman Couples Therapy, and I utilize these evidence-based approaches to inform my work with couples. I take a collaborative, unbiased approach to help couples effectively work through their issues. My goal is to improve the quality of your relationship so you feel more connected, and are able to effectively handle challenges in your relationship.
"Great relationships don't just fall into our laps. They require people to move through their fears and insecurities, and do the hard work to move wounds into healing.”
~Vienna Pharaon
Couples & Marriage Counseling for Infertility and Pregnancy Loss
One of the dreams many couples have is to become parents together. For one in eight couples, however, getting or staying pregnant will be filled with challenges. Few couples expect to experience infertility or pregnancy loss, and these stressors can place great strain on a couple’s relationship. It is common for members of a couple to cope with infertility or loss differently. For example, one partner might prefer emotional expression and open communication, while the other may use distraction and internal reflection. Differences in coping styles can lead to partners feeling alone, misunderstood, and unsupported.
Partners may also be overwhelmed with grief and feelings of guilt, anger, or hopelessness. In moments like this, it is not unusual for communication and intimacy to break down.
In the midst of these stressful moments, there are often important decisions to be made. Disagreements can come up about how or when to move forward, whether to seek medical assistance, how much time and money to spend on attempting treatment, how to deal with family and friends, whether to pursue alternative family-building options like adoption or third party reproduction, whether and how to memorialize a loss, and much more.
Through couples counseling, I can help you work through these challenges, navigating your options and concerns so that you can make decisions that work for both of you.
I can also help you:
Work through your emotions together
Increase your understanding of yourself and your partner
Communicate more effectively
Rekindle your connection
Discover hope despite your challenges
With tools gained in couples counseling, you will be able to make changes that will help you feel supported, united, strong, and ready to address future challenges and celebrate future successes.
Couples & Marriage Counseling
FOR NEW PARENTS
Having a baby can be a joyous occasion. However, for many couples, the postpartum period can also be extremely difficult. One in seven women, and one in ten men suffer from a postpartum mood or anxiety disorder, and many more feel overwhelmed, stressed, or blue after the arrival of a baby. When one or both members of a couple are not well, the relationship suffers and this, in turn, can have an impact on the infant.
Other couples have babies with health problems, and they may experience long and frightening NICU stays. The strain associated with these events not only affects the individuals involved, but also the partnership itself. Struggling with personal distress after a baby arrives can cause some partners to turn away from each other. Others try to support each other but find this difficult, especially if they cope in different ways.
Communication can deteriorate, causing decision-making to be extremely hard. Relationship problems that were present before the pregnancy can also re-emerge, often with increased strength. Partners can blame one another, and the words that are said to each other in anger and grief can have a harmful, long-term impact on the partnership.
Together, through couples counseling, we can address issues such as emotional distance and disconnection, conflict and communication, value differences, sex and intimacy, role transitions and parenting challenges, and more. You will have the opportunity to express and work through complicated feelings in a safe and supportive environment. You will also learn crucial skills that will increase your understanding and strengthen your relationship during this difficult time and for years to come.
