Couples Therapy & Marriage Counseling in Boca Raton, FL

This therapy is designed for all couples who are either married or in committed relationships.

Research finds that most couples wait 6 to 7 years before seeking help in their marriage or committed relationship.

By the time a couple may decide to seek therapy, the relationship may be at a critical level where one or the both of you are wondering, “Can this ever be what it once was?”

Relationships become undone for two reasons. The first reason is that partners begin to feel it’s not safe to trust that his/her partner will be there for them, value them, and comfort them in times when they are feeling vulnerable and lonely. The second reason is that couples either lose the ability to know or have never really known what a sound, satisfying relationship looks like.

In my work with couples, I utilize two research-based models of couple’s therapy that I have found to be extremely effective in helping you rekindle the love and attachment you once felt for each other, so that you can enjoy a satisfying, joyful relationship.

The Gottman Method for Healthy Relationships.

This method, researched and developed by John and Julie Gottman, combines the experience and wisdom of 40 years of clinical study and practice of not only what couples are doing wrong in their relationships but more importantly — what are the couples who are experiencing sound, healthy relationships doing right. Couples are able to break through previous barriers by developing a better understanding of each other in order to achieve greater connection and intimacy. Couples learn how how to break through and resolve conflict, to increase respect and affection for one another and experience arguments and disagreements in a more calm, effective manner.

Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy.

This model is based on the research and clinical application of Susan Johnson and colleagues, which suggests that empathetic responsiveness directs how a couple is in relationship to one another. Being able to attune to each other’s emotional being is key to intimacy and attachment. In therapy, the goal is to heal old emotional injuries that may have been created within the relationship so that the couple can then move forward feeling a renewed sense of closeness and trust in each other.

In therapy, the hope is to develop a strong, solid relationship that is founded on:

• An increase in respect for each another, more affection, and feeling closer.
• Breaking through those times where you feel stuck and being able to resolve conflict.
• Generating a greater understanding and bond between partners so that when times of conflict occur, issues can be resolved in a calm, respectful manner.

Common couple’s issues include:

INEFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION SKILLS (BEING ABLE TO ASK FOR AND RECEIVE WHAT YOU NEED IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP

It is true that it’s not what you say … but how you say it that is most important. Developing more effective ways to communicate can make a huge difference in resolving relationship issues. The goal is to express yourself in a way that invites your partner to listen and respond in a supportive way.

SEXUAL AND EMOTIONAL INTIMACY

• At the core of every relationship is one’s desire for attachment. For many couples this attachment is expressed through sexual and emotional intimacy.

• Trust is an important part of intimacy. And trust is earned when both of you feel desired, valued, and engaged in all aspects of each other’s lives.

• It is possible to rekindle intimacy when it seems like it’s been lost. The first step is to explore hurt feelings and to learn how to talk about them.

• Then you can begin to open space for creating a new, more purposeful and meaningful relationship.

SEXUAL AND EMOTIONAL INFIDELITY

The question often asked is, “Can my relationship survive infidelity?” The discovery of infidelity does not have to mean the end of your marriage or relationship. In fact, in many cases, it an be the beginning of creating a new relationship that is more satisfying and joyful.