When everything is going well, a relationship can provide love, support, mutual respect, friendship and joy. However when everything is not well, the relationship can be a source of anger, resentment, pain and loneliness.

A Couples Therapist can mediate and work with you in identifying ways to open communication, bring you closer together and resolve areas of conflict. My goal is to offer you a calm, soothing environment where I can help you to develop the skills to talk and listen productively about the issues that are impacting your relationship. I work with all couples: married and unmarried, straight and gay.

Duration — The duration of therapy is dependent on the length of time it takes for you to meet your goals.  Sometimes issues can be resolved swiftly and sometimes it can take longer. In addition, sometimes the events in a couple’s life can lead the couple to change the goals mid-way through therapy.  There is no right or wrong amount of time for you to be in the process of therapy.  It is about what is comfortable and right for you. 
Frequency — I typically suggest that couples plan on meeting with me weekly for the first several months. By the time a couple makes an appointment, the issues they are experiencing have often reached a level of crisis. Meeting weekly gives us an opportunity to really get to know each other and the issues that are presenting. It also allows us to take advantage of the momentum in addressing the serious issues in the relationship and spend less time “playing catch-up”. After a few months, if we feel that significant changes have occurred and there are fewer crises, we can discuss the possibility of changing the frequency of our meetings.

What we talk about is ultimately up to you.  It will depend on what you are experiencing and what you would like to experience in therapy.  However, some possible topics include:

• Communication Difficulties
• Recovery from Affairs
• Jealousy
• Anger
• Issues Related to Pregnancy/Postpartum
• Conflicts with Parenting
• Sexual Difficulties (see below for more on Sex Therapy)

• Improved communication
• Greater appreciation for your partner
• Increased self-confidence
• Decrease in anger and conflict
• Increase in satisfaction with the relationship

Sex is an important part of any close, intimate relationship.  Yet all too often we have grown up with misinformation and shaming messages about sex and sexuality.  This can lead to feelings of intense anger, anxiety, guilt and embarrassment about our sexuality.  Sexual difficulties in a relationship can exist on their own or stem from conflicts between partners.  In either case, it is critical to be able to communicate your feelings and desires to your partner in an environment that is open, relaxed and non-judgmental.

Using psychodynamic talk therapy, education, homework assignments, relaxation and behavioral techniques, I work with you to explore your feelings and develop the self-confidence and communication skills to create a more pleasurable sexual relationship with your partner.  This may be done as a couple and/or individually, depending on the issues presented and the interventions that are deemed appropriate at the time.

• Communication Difficulties
• Anxiety
• Differences in Desire
• Difficulties with Arousal
• Early Ejaculation
• Difficulty reaching Orgasm
• Issues Related to Pregnancy/Postpartum
• Past Sexual Abuse or Trauma

• Improved communication
• Greater appreciation for your partner
• Increased self-confidence
• Decrease in anger and conflict
• Increased comfort with your sexuality
• Greater emotional and physical pleasure in your sexual relationship