Great Couples Counseling in Deer Park, IL. Therapy to heal relationships.

Being in a couple is a dream-come-true for most individuals. Yet, when the romance, over time (generally 6 months to 2 years), melds into the routine, lovers feel lost, lonely, and long for the past. What does this pattern mean on the developmental, life-long path of a couple? Feeling attracted is Step 1. Making a commitment to each other is Step 2. Disillusionment is Step 3 before you (Step 4) shake up your beliefs about a "happy marriage." How could you and your partner rejuvenate and inspire your commitment? I can help you understand the Steps with powerful ideas for you to start applying today. If you spouse isn't ready, you can lead the way!

There are many different types of couples with whom I work - Traditional, Re-Married After Being Widowed, Step-Families, Gay, Lesbian, Transgender. Each couple and each relationship is special and unique. Therefore, the strategies we use to improve, change or dissolve/uncouple the relationship will be distinct for each pair of partners and will be based on the partners' goals.

Couples counseling can be scary, not knowing what to expect. I take the time to make sure that each person feels understood. Often this is what people want the most in order to feel resolve issues and feel closer. Secondly, people want to stay calm but do not always know how. Thirdly, most prefer creative proposals to solve problems versus debates. Having a communication coach, and an understanding of how your past affects the present can make the difference. We also provide premarital assessments and counseling.

Accepting and celebrating the differences that make up a couple can bring joy to any relationship. Validating emotions and not having to understand them reduces the amount of fighting that will take place. Watching for areas of stonewalling, contempt, defensiveness and criticism will allow communication to continue and not shut someone down or up. Learning how to repair a relationship on a daily bases will keep it on the road for many years.

Our primary focus on couple counseling is addressing conflict resolution strategies and understanding the root of the conflict to get the best approach to resolve the conflict. Our strategy is improving communication skills and deepening the relationship and interactions between partners by exploring each other’s perspectives, needs and emotions. We provide tools for enhancing interaction and managing conflicts effectively.

The greatest issue with couples therapy is that most couples wait too long to seek it out. So instead of reconnecting a cart and horse that were in the same location, time now has them in different counties - sometimes different states! The challenge with couples right out of the gate is identifying the depth of the disconnect. Next is boundary setting as I'm a firm believer, no couple can gain a thing from fighting with each other in my office! My job is not to referee. My job is to help them identify what's broken in their relationship and then teach them how to fix it. Quite simply, this journey is about trust, communication and the willingness to make compromise. I'm the tour guide.

Communication barriers and conflict are present in all relationships and it is most important to work through these issues together and in a way that supports growth and fosters love in relationships. In therapy I can provide techniques and a space for you to practice utilizing more effective ways to communicate that allows both people to feel heard and understood. I am available to help you work through conflicts and relationships goals in a safe space together.

I enjoy working with couples whether whether married or not. I enjoy the dynamic of interpersonal relationship and work well with couples in improving communication and conflict resolution. Another value for me when working with couples is to help them enjoy each other and their relationship more including having fun, connectedness, and learning to celebrate the way each is wired differently.

Suspecting an affair? Have you just learned that your spouse wants a divorce? These are the types of crises situations that Kari Hunter specializes in. A relationship counselor for 25 years, she has worked with all types of couples to help them navigate the many difficulties that go along with love and partnership. Whether your relationship can benefit from conflict-resolution skills, communication coaching, or intimacy enrichment, don't wait until small problems become a crisis. But if you have gotten to the point of contemplating a break-up, there is a new service for that too, it is called Discernment counseling and it helps couples come to a mutual confident decision about the future.

Many issues bring a couple to seek counseling such as communication issues, cheating/trust issues, constantly fighting, wanting to improve whats already good, and many more. My approach includes working with both of you to help you learn new ideas and skills to improve your relationship. My goal is not to take sides but instead to help each of you understand your partners perspective even if you don't agree with it.

Is your relationship not where you thought it would be? Are you having problems with communication and misunderstandings? Has life gotten in the way of your relationship? Relationships take work and with careers, children and life in general, it is not uncommon for relationships to get off track. Collaboratively, we can work to improve communication and find that spark that initially attracted the two of you in the first place. We can discover ways to reawaken and relight the hopes and dreams you had for your relationship. For more information, please contact me or visit my website.

Is your relationship ready for a tune up? Being married and raising 4 children, I know it's hard to find time for "us" during the parent rearing years, let alone if the relationship is struggling. Change can happen even if it's just by one person! I promise! Give me a jingle to see if couples counseling is right for you. Sometimes the things we can easily see are not the root cause of relationship stress. I can help you identify where the stress is coming from, and live a more fulfilling life!

I recognize that each couple is unique, in their approach to life and to each other. I would focus on their strengths, especially as work on their problematic areas began. I encourage open communication but discourage name calling; I also encourage the use of "I feel" statements. I would be interested in their individual life histories in that the baggage we bring to relationships cannot be removed, but responses to behavior can be altered. And sometimes awareness of why an individual acts and/or feels a certain way can be quite helpful.