Couples Therapy in Westport, CT
Couples Therapy
Couples therapy offers a supportive space where you and your partner can openly discuss your issues and work towards resolving them.
Through evidence-based techniques, therapy can help you improve communication, rebuild trust, and enhance intimacy.
Offering in-person couples therapy in Westport, CT, and virtual therapy in CT, NY, MA, and other states.
We all enter relationships with some kind of “baggage.” Sometimes these past scars prevent us from developing loving and compassionate partnerships in which both partners feel supported.
If you’re considering couples therapy, you may be experiencing distressing relationship problems like communication issues, lack of trust, emotional distance, or intimacy concerns.
Or perhaps you’re going through a major transition like a move, career change, or childbirth, and need to shore up your foundation.
Here’s how couples therapy can help address some common relationship issues.
- Communication Issues: Improve how you communicate and learn how to resolve conflicts more effectively.
- Trust Problems: Rebuild trust after infidelity or other breaches of trust.
- Emotional Distance: Address feelings of growing apart or emotional disconnection.
- Conflict Resolution: Learn healthier ways to manage and resolve conflicts.
- Life Transitions: Navigate major life changes such as marriage, childbirth, or relocation.
- Intimacy Concerns: Address sexual or emotional intimacy issues.
- Parenting Challenges: Find common ground on parenting styles and strategies.
- Financial Stress: Handle disagreements and stress related to financial matters.
- Premarital Counseling: Prepare for marriage by addressing potential issues and setting expectations.
- Relationship Skills: Develop better relationship skills and understand each other’s needs and perspectives.
Couples therapy helps change destructive patterns while creating a nurturing environment that allows you to develop both individually and as a couple.
What to Expect in Couples Therapy
The Gottman Method is a research-based approach to couples therapy developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman.
This proven method aims to help couples build stronger relationships by focusing on key areas that research has shown to be critical for relationship success.
Here’s an overview of what the Gottman Method entails:
1. Assessment
We start with a thorough assessment of your relationship, including individual interviews and questionnaires. This helps us understand your unique dynamics, strengths, and challenges.
2. Sound Relationship House
The Gottman Method is built around the concept of the “Sound Relationship House,” which includes:
- Building Love Maps: Deepening your understanding of each other’s worlds.
- Sharing Fondness and Admiration: Increasing respect and affection.
- Turning Towards Instead of Away: Enhancing your emotional connection by responding to each other’s bids for attention.
- Positive Perspective: Maintaining a positive view of your partner and the relationship.
- Managing Conflict: Learning healthy ways to manage and resolve conflicts. This includes using gentle start-up, repair attempts, and accepting influence.
- Making Life Dreams Come True: Supporting each other’s life goals and aspirations.
- Creating Shared Meaning: Building a sense of shared purpose and values in your relationship.
3. Conflict Management
The Gottman Method provides specific tools for managing and resolving conflicts. This includes techniques for softening start-up, using repair attempts, self-soothing, and accepting influence.
4. Building Friendship and Intimacy
The method emphasizes the importance of friendship and emotional intimacy as the foundation of a strong relationship. We work on enhancing these aspects through exercises and discussions.
5. Creating Rituals of Connection
Developing rituals that strengthen your bond and create a sense of shared meaning in your everyday life.
I try to be as active as possible throughout each session, and encourage both partners to talk to each other rather than at each other. I observe closely and provide feedback when communication gets stuck or derailed. My goal is for you to develop positive ways of communicating with and supporting each other, rather than recreating arguments.
I believe in the power of romance, and I deeply enjoy helping you improve your interactions as your relationship becomes more loving, compassionate, and supportive.