Relationships are often your most important and your most evocative project (i.e., they push your buttons). They are both ridiculously complex and utterly simple, depending on how you look at them.
There is no way to resolve these tensions. You have to work with them.
I work with couples (and other relationship forms) who want to see the complexity and simplicity of their relationship(s) more clearly and cooperate towards a shared reality that is meaningful, alive, and connected.
Informed by Emotion Focused Therapy and Integrative Behavioral Couples Therapy, my assumption is that all relationship problems are problems in the consciousness and development of at least one of the people involved. If you choose to stay in the relationship, you choose to be responsible for your own growth and to support the growth of your partner(s).
In that spirit, Couples Therapy sessions are a balance between individual and shared development. We will make use of supplemental one-on-one meetings as needed, so that each individual feels fully engaged and understood. I also draw a fair amount on my experience as a team coach to provide communication coaching and systems (e.g. creative problem-solving or decision making tools). Change should be emotional as well as concrete.
Common areas of focus include:
Closeness and connection
Conflict resolution and negotiation
Repair of the past
Proactive relationship design or re-design (pre-marital or otherwise)
I am available for therapy sessions for Washington State residents via video-conference/phone. In my experience, and according to the research, remote sessions are equally impactful to in person meetings.
I'm a Licensed Psychologist in Washington State: License PY60382108.
Your insurance may cover some/all of my fee as an out-of-network provider.