Couples Therapy

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is a short-term form of therapy that focuses on adult relationships and attachment/bonding. The therapist and clients look at patterns in the relationship and take steps to create a more secure bond and develop more trust to move the relationship in a healthier, more positive direction. Couples and families in distress can benefit from EFT and learn to improve their relationships. Often, clients are dealing with anger, fear, loss of trust, or sense of betrayal in their relationship. EFT has also been proven effective for couples who are having trouble coping with their own illness or that of a child. In addition to helping the distressed relationship, EFT can also help reduce individual symptoms of depression or trauma.

The Gottman Method for Healthy Relationships is a form of couples-based therapy and education that draws on the pioneering studies of relationships by psychologist John M. Gottman and clinical practice conducted by John Gottman and his wife, psychologist Julie Gottman. Nearly 40 years of research have led John Gottman to identify the elements it takes for relationships to last—among all types of couples across all phases of life.

There are nine components of what the Gottmans call The Sound Relationship House, from partners making mental maps of each other’s world to learning how to break through relationship gridlock. One of the reigning insights of the science-based approach is that in the dynamics of relationship systems, negative emotions like defensiveness and contempt have more power to hurt a relationship than positive emotions have to help a relationship. As a result, the structured therapy focuses on developing understanding and skills so that partners can maintain fondness and admiration, turn toward each other to get their needs met (especially when they are hurting), manage conflict, and enact their dreams—and what to do when they mess up (because everyone does).

Is your relationship on the edge of dissolving?  Have you been contemplating leaving for years but haven’t told your partner?

We want you to be able to make sure this is the right move for you.  Whether you need help discerning next steps or are hoping to save your relationship, we want to help you get through this.

There may be children involved, financial difficulties if the relationship ends, and true love between you that you want to find again.  We want to help you reignite love and have the relationship you want and deserve.  We are wired for love and connection and we want you both to have those needs met.  We know that when couples come in, in this state, they need big intervention fast. Our therapists specializing in working with couples are able to work quickly with you utilizing interventions in therapy to assist in shifting big problematic patterns rapidly and deeply.  If big and rapid change is of interest to you then one of our intensive couples therapy programs may be for you. We also have therapists who specialize in couples therapy on a weekly or biweekly basis.