Great Couples Counseling in Wood Dale, IL. Therapy to heal relationships.

Couples who work with me—whether in weekly one-hour sessions or through focused intensives—can expect a balanced, supportive space to reconnect and communicate more effectively. In regular sessions, we build skills gradually, addressing patterns and strengthening the relationship over time. Intensives offer a deeper dive, ideal for couples in crisis or needing a reset, allowing us to make meaningful progress in a concentrated format. Both options focus on understanding, repair, and rebuilding trust. We can also work to better manage and work through the trauma of betrayal.

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.

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.

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.

In helping your coupleship become more satisfying, I first want to hear your story--how you met, your journey to date, both the highs and the lows. Then together we will identify your strengths, issues that have become problematic, what skills you have already, those to add or enhance for the future, and strategies to work through any special difficulties or remaining woundedness. Collaboratively, we will develop a plan to encourage and give you hope that you can still make your relationship all that it can be!

In the stress of daily life and struggles, couples often forget why they love each other. They lose perspective and only feel anger and hopelessness. This is not what God wants for your relationship. Couples therapy involves looking at the communication patterns and baggage that keeps you stuck but will also help you remember and regain the love and understanding for the one you love.

Some of my clients call it a gift. I know it is my passion. Couples counseling is a perfect fit for me. I get energized whenever a new couple comes to see me. As a communication, relational specialist, I get to know my couples individually and as a couple by taking time to carefully listen and understand them. This allows me the opportunity to help them understand each other and where they are likely stuck in their relationship. Once I identify the negative pattern, I assist the couple in shifting the pattern into one that is mutually respectful, caring, accommodating, and enriching. As a result of my extensive couples work I am currently writing a book on respectful relationships.

I work with couples at every stage of their relationship—whether you're just beginning, feeling distant, or navigating complex seasons of change. Together, we’ll create a safe space to slow down, truly hear one another, and uncover the deeper patterns that keep you stuck. With care and curiosity, we’ll explore the roots of disconnection and gently build new ways of relating rooted in understanding, emotional safety, and trust.

Many kinds of couples find their way to counseling with me. I see married couples, couples with step and blended families, new and old couples, co-habiting couples, bisexual and gay couples, swinging couples, and premarital couples. I enjoy working with the interplay between partners. Most clients come in to better their communications and lessen specific conflict s around decisions and patterns of behavior. Many come in to struggle about separation, divorce and infidelity. Couples who see me usually understand their personal issues more fully and know more about their partner then before counseling. They tend to feel more connected, warm and more respectful of one another.

Couples work is challenging but I enjoy it. I like to help people improve how they relate to each other; communicate better; work through conflicts; and connect on a deeper level. I'm also very non-judgmental and help couples work through complicated issues they sometimes have a hard time finding a therapist for such as exploring sexual boundaries or non-traditional relationship issues. Unfortunately - sometimes it's also about ending a relationship and using the therapist to help navigate a "friendly divorce" rather than an acrimonious one.

We can help you create and sustain a close, honest and mutually satisfying relationship you deserve. Whether you are struggling with profoundly serious relational patterns, sexual challenges, communication problems, or just a few bumps in your road, our method of couples counseling can move you from pain, silence or anger to passion, restoration and love. Use the menu as ideas to discuss with your therapist your specific desires and goals to create the relationship you want. There is no problem too difficult, too deep, or too ingrained that cannot benefit from counseling. No matter what stage in your relationship, from the first spark to healing ongoing wounds we can help. Communication Therapy All couples create negative patterns of communication...(view profile to read more)

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.

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.