Couples Therapy

Couples therapy is designed for partners who feel caught in recurring patterns that affect communication, trust, and emotional connection. Many couples find themselves having the same conversations without reaching resolution, often leaving both partners feeling unheard or misunderstood.

A healthy relationship does not mean the absence of conflict. Research, including the work of John Gottman, shows that all couples experience disagreements. What distinguishes more stable and satisfying relationships is the ability to repair and reconnect after conflict. This involves expressing concerns in ways that can be heard, as well as recognizing and responding to each other's emotional signals.

Drawing on attachment theory, originally developed by John Bowlby and further applied in the work of Sue Johnson (Emotionally Focused Therapy), this approach understands that beneath many conflicts are deeper needs for closeness, feeling like you are on the same team, and knowing you matter to each other. Reactions such as silence, withdrawal, criticism, or anger are often attempts to cope with disconnection rather than the root problem itself. As these underlying emotions become clearer, partners are better able to understand each other and shift how they respond.

In our work together, we focus on identifying these patterns, improving communication, and strengthening the ability to navigate conflict without losing connection. Over time, couples develop more effective ways to repair after difficult moments, reconnect emotionally, and build a relationship that feels more secure and stable.

Please note that couples therapy may not be appropriate in situations involving ongoing abuse, active affairs, when one partner has already decided to leave the relationship, or when one partner is unwilling to engage in the process.