Couples Therapy: What to expect

The way I conduct couples therapy generally happens in a four phases.

1. Assessment: The groundwork for deep, targeted relational healing.

   We will spend 3-5 sessions taking strong a relationship history, individual history, family of origin history, exploring the presenting concern and getting really clear on your focus for couples work.

2. Pattern Recognition: Making the unconscious, conscious.

   You will uncover your relational blueprints (inherited roles, gendered expectations, and power dynamics). Learn how to track your signs of reactivity, shame, and threat response and bring awareness to how these responses keep you stuck in cycles of conflict or disconnection.

3. Relational Repatterning: Shift from protection to connection.

   You will take home skills that help you name your needs, emotions, and regulate emotional reactivity when communicating with your partner. Accountability and prioritizing living relationally will become your top priority. You will get chances to practice recognizing rupture and practice repair with guidance.

4. Integration and Maintenance: Live relationally.

   In the final phase you will notice softening towards your partner. Together you will recommit to mutual accountability. Reactivity and shame won’t rule your communication.