Marriage Counseling and Couples Therapy
Are you and your partner frequently arguing about the same predictable issues? Maybe you have disagreements about finances, in-laws, or parenting. Or maybe there aren’t any particular “hot button” topics, but you notice a breakdown in communication with escalating tension. As a result, you feel less connected emotionally and physically. You don’t spend the same amount of quality time with each other anymore. It’s beginning to feel like you’re closer to being roommates than romantic partners. As emotional closeness fades, our felt empathy for our partners diminishes. This makes it more difficult to relate to them.
Now pet peeves that you would usually ignore take center stage. Maybe there is a history of infidelity in your relationship that needs to be directly dealt with. Or, one or both of you are dealing with other mental health issues (e.g., depression, anxiety, PTSD) that are having a negative impact. Marriage counseling and couples therapy in Cincinnati, OH is a safe space to deal with these issues.
Benefits of Marriage Counseling and Couples Therapy in Cincinnati, OH
Couples therapy can certainly help with these types of issues. It can allow you to gain back a sense of connectedness to your partner. This can lead to you reopening the gates of understanding. In some cases, it can provide a venue for allowing you to decide whether you want to stay committed and work through difficult problems.
Given the often sensitive nature of couples work, I believe in the importance of maintaining a non-judgmental space. This means both partners feel safe sharing their honest thoughts and feelings. That includes discussing past instances that they may not be proud of. I also believe in the essentialness of neutrality in couples’ work, viewing the relationship as the “client” I am serving.
Ascend Cincinnati’s Approach to Marriage Counseling and Couples Therapy in Ohio
Using research-backed techniques primarily taken from cognitive-behavioral conjoint therapy, I begin with a careful assessment of each couple, as there is a multitude of reasons why individuals seek couples therapy in Cincinnati, OH. In addition to meeting with both partners together, I spend some time with each partner alone. This is done to gain a better understanding of individual-level concerns they may be having. Following this initial assessment, I offer feedback to the couple about what I’m hearing and work with them to identify specific goals for our work together.
The First Step to Building Connection and Closeness in Therapy
Generally, an initial focus of couples’ work involves enhancing emotional safety within a relationship. This includes building hope and allowing vulnerability to feel possible. As part of this, we improve communication skills, active listening, paraphrasing, and empathy. We may use tools for de-escalation that are often useful and result in a couple feeling more empowered. Ultimately we want to broach topics that before we viewed as powder kegs. As emotional intimacy increases, trust improves, and physical intimacy typically follows. This added closeness then serves as an emotional buffer for a relationship. We expect to see resilience in the relationship, such that those pet peeves previously taking center stage are changed back to minor annoyances we can brush off.
How Long is Couples Therapy?
The typical length of couples’ work of course varies depending on the concerns and issues within a given relationship. Therefore, as couples come into therapy wanting more immediate help, we will work on skills, in the beginning, to help them reach their goals. As your marriage counselor, I will help you develop concrete tools for improving communication and emotional safety early in treatment.
I Can Work with You In-Person or Via Online Therapy in Ohio
Coordinating schedules between three adults can be tricky (not to mention child care considerations). Therefore, I offer couples work both in-person and via online therapy in Ohio. If you are interested in learning more or have questions needing to be answered, please reach out for a free consultation!
Begin Marriage Counseling and Couples Therapy in Cincinnati, OH with me!
No one ever said relationships were easy. In fact, while there are many rewards to relationships, they can be challenging to navigate at times. You’re trying to put together two different experiences into one life. This can create tension and frustration. However, when a relationship is running with empathy and compromise, life is easy and more settled. If you’re ready to work with a couples therapist who can provide the support you need, I am here to help at Ascend Counseling in Cinncinati, OH. When you’re ready to begin finding a new way forward, then begin your counseling journey by following these simple steps:
Meet with your couples therapist
Feel Connected or Develop the Clarity You Need!
Other Services at Ascend Psychological Services
Relationships go through all kinds of trials and tribulations. If you’re ready to take that next step and get support, then this is the right place for you. If marriage counseling and couples therapy are not what you’re seeking at my Cinncinati. OH, counseling practice I offer additional services. This includes PTSD treatment and trauma therapy, insomnia treatment, psychological assessments, grief counseling, depression treatment, online therapy in Ohio. Additionally, I offer CBT therapy, prolonged exposure, written exposure therapy, accelerated resolution therapy, cognitive processing therapy, and person-centered approaches. When you’re ready to begin services, I am here to support you.