Great Couples Counseling in Oak Park, MI. Therapy to heal relationships.

"Is this relationship worth saving?" is a question many people find themselves asking. My approach to couples who are not married is similar to the approach used with married couples but different. Often being a couple is more complicated, there are often less understood rules adding confusion to the relationship. One method that I use is to clarify the rules of the relationship. Fear is often a reason that couples stay together. Unless this fear is addressed the relationship is jeopardy.

Couples Counseling can be specific or broad in nature. Counseling may help a couple work through a specific issue or conflict, or it may help the couple to improve communication, change patterns and work through long standing issues. Our therapists work with couples at all stages - whether in a new relationship and attempting to work out conflicts that are preventing them for progressing, or in a long term relationship and wishing to increase emotional depth and intimacy.

All couples struggle. Sooner or later, you will struggle between yourselves and certainly together. It has been said that by the time a couple comes to therapy, they have waited 8 years longer than they should have. That's a long time, spent wishing things would just get better and/or pretending the struggle isn't there. As life brings changes within you, between you, and around you, it can be very beneficial to talk with a therapist who can help you with insight, coping, and communication skills. A therapist may be able to help you talk about sensitive subjects, such as sex, money, the kids, the affair, the compulsion, the addiction, the health crisis, the mental illness, the divorce...

I utilize my experience as a family mediator and therapist to work collaboratively with couples to assist them in meeting their goals they wish to accomplish as a result of therapy. Typical issues that come up include communication, evaluating the relationship for marriage, evaluating the relationship for divorce, or any other issue that you as a couple are struggling with. Therapy/counseling of this nature is often 3 - 6 months of sessions every other week.

As a licensed clinical psychologist and addictions specialist, I work with couples, who are struggling with drugs, alcohol, rage, violence, and behavioral issues. I walk with couples through a partner or child's addiction and provide targeted therapy and information. I help couples, who have "tried everything," and turn to me for help with high-risk/high-conflict behavior. I have the crisis intervention skills to provide immediate help. I restore hope in relationships that are being torn apart by by many types of addiction and anger.

Couple relationships can get into trouble within the first few minutes--or the first few chat messages. And troubles can arise after years of relational success. If you feel your relationship is going into negative directions, intervention can make a difference. My Identity Renegotiation approach seeks to locate and disable negative messages; find sources of support for a healthy relationship; develop an updated and more realistic image of who you can be in your relationship; and polish off the rough spots so you can move forward smoothly.

Are you tired of having the same argument with your mate? Those arguments that never get resolved? Usually under the surface are unmet needs and dreams. Let me help you and your partner communicate at a deeper level so you don't leave each other guessing what you want. Has there been a breach of trust or a devastating loss? It can help to have a trusted counselor walk with you in the journey to help strengthen your partnership at your most vulnerable times. With divorce statistics outweighing the odds of a successful marriage, you owe it to yourselves and your family to get professional input before throwing in the towel. Research shows children are healthier with parents who stay together.

How do you and your spouse interact. Have you created unspoken rules that regulate how you interact yet cause pain. I address the dysfunctional rules of the relationship and help you improve communication skills. Let me help you learn how to change the rules and develop healthy skills one step at a time. Most couples wait until it is too late to save the relationship. Don't wait, call for an appointment today.

Couple counseling at Kairos Counseling Center is a two fold process. Taking a partner screening device to identify strengths and weaknesses each partner brings to the relationship is key to developing an effective solution to the couple's problems. Through couple communication skills training, a new appreciation for each other develops. Negative energy that was a part of the couple's old relationship vanishes when we communicate in a kind and loving way. No longer do couples war but now an agreed upon communication is established to help meet their needs.

Using the model IMAGO Relationship Therapy which is based on the book, Getting the Love You Want, by Harville Hendrix offers several different communication techniques helping couples resolve conflicts and move toward a more compassionate marriage. We help heterosexual, gay, lesbian couples as well as couples with open marriages and those who choose monogamy.

You are not alone. Many couples struggle with maintaining a loving, supportive union. It takes courage to admit that long term relationships are not easy, and even more to actually act on that admission. The path to growth is never easy, but it is so very rewarding! Seeking couples counseling doesn’t automatically signify the end of your marriage or relationship. Rather, it can be a new beginning. So, if you and your partner are ready to move forward, we are ready to be your guide. Now is the time. Give us a call today.

Do you feel misunderstood at times? Are you looking to find ways to make your marriage more meaningful? Do you want to take your relationship from good to great? I am a psychotherapist who understands that life can feel like a daily struggle. No one should have to endure these feelings alone. As a certified Prepare/Enrich Facilitator and Professional Counselor, I compassionately listen and support couples reconnect and emotionally move forward to bring a healthy balance back into their lives. Couples will gain skills for a rewarding partnership, discover the importance of effective communication and explore resolving conflict using healthy communication.

Although most relationships start out well, many often experience times of significant conflict. No matter what causes the conflict, it can create stress, tension, anxiety and feelings of hopelessness. People face many stressful situations in life; however, divorce and marital problems repeatedly rank as two of the top three most stressful situations (death of a spouse, child or close relative is number one). Many couples hope that relationship troubles will go away on their own. As a result, couples often wait many years after a problem starts before seeking out help such as marriage counseling. This can lead to the worsening of relationship problems and may create new problems such as physical symptoms of stress and psychological problems, such as...(view profile to read more)