Great Couples Counseling in Bainbridge Island, WA. Therapy to heal relationships.

There are countless models of healthy romantic relationships, from monogamous to polyamorous, and unique variations between partners. The scripts for dating and longterm relationships of our parents’ generations may not be applicable to your relationship, and there is no formal education in how to be a good partner or how to identify unhealthy relationships. But there is psychological research that shows that effective communication, emotional openness, intimacy, and other factors contribute to healthy relationships. Creating these conditions are skills that can be learned. I practice brief humanistic and emotion-focused therapy (EFT) to help my LGBTQ and hetero clients learn these skills.

I deeply appreciate working with couples. Discovering the gifts and teachings you have for each other, supporting the deep love that is so often part of the pain between you, deepening the continuing journey of more authentic awareness of each other, and even working to let go of a relationship that no longer serves you is often magical. We explore the patterns that support and undermine your relationship, the constructs of belief, habit, and expectation that these hold in place, the ways to shift your part in them, and what is core to those fights about "stupid things". Working with how you communicate and moving you away from blame and shame builds a foundation for relational healing.

Communication problems are listed as the number one reason why couples come into my office. Learning effective communication, how to love and be loved, how to cherish a relationship and enjoy one another, are areas I help couples with. We give love like we like to receive it. Not everyone likes to receive it the same way. Finding out your love language and your partners can make a huge difference in your relationship.

The couple relationship is a dynamic, challenging landscape that requires communication, understanding, and commitment to navigate. Whether you are looking to improve an already healthy relationship or confronting painful issues that have led you to the brink of divorce, I can work with you and your partner to find the most growth and healing possible in your situation.

Every couple is unique- what works for some, does not work for all. In a nonjudgmental and non-pathologizing space, I help couples of all kinds to create the relationship that will meet both partner's needs. Through thoughtful, heartfelt and insightful discussions, we will arrive together at the model that works best for you and your relationship, and together we can resolve old wounds to help you come together again to support one another with love and kindness.

Sharing a life with a chosen, intimate partner can be one of the greatest challenges one can face, and also one of the most satisfying and life giving experiences possible. All couples eventually experience the transition from 'falling in love' to hitting the rocky roads where being a couple is experiencing frustration, resentment, anger, hurt and other painful feelings. It is ironic that these rocky roads are the pathway through which most couples must travel in order to find the love they want. I help couples connect with each other on a level that involves risk and vulnerability, and leads eventually to deep connection as the foundation for a lasting, passionate and satisfying love.

Our work together encourages open and honest relating • increases listening without judgement and speaking without anger • decreases fighting, bickering and cold shoulders • enhances intimacy, sexuality and satisfaction • dissolves hurtful and dysfunctional patterns of behavior. The process is available to anyone willing to invest time and energy. All that is required is an open mind.