Couples, Premarital, and Marriage Counseling

I work with couples at different stages of their relationships, including those who are dating, engaged, married, or in long-term partnerships. Common concerns include communication difficulties, recurring arguments, emotional distance, loss of intimacy, differences in expectations, and unresolved resentment.

Couples therapy provides an opportunity to examine the patterns that contribute to conflict and develop more constructive ways of communicating and responding to one another. Premarital counseling can also help couples explore important questions involving values, expectations, finances, family relationships, and long-term compatibility before making a commitment.

My goal is not to decide whether a couple should remain together, but to help both partners gain greater understanding, address difficult issues, and make thoughtful decisions about their future.

Infidelity, Betrayal, and Rebuilding Trust

Infidelity can profoundly disrupt a relationship, leaving partners struggling with anger, grief, guilt, uncertainty, and a loss of emotional security. The discovery of an affair often raises painful questions about trust, commitment, honesty, and the future of the relationship.

I work with individuals and couples navigating the aftermath of emotional or sexual infidelity, including repeated betrayals, secrecy, and longstanding relationship difficulties. Treatment focuses on understanding what happened, addressing the emotional consequences, improving communication, and determining whether trust can be rebuilt.

Some couples seek to repair their relationship, while others need help deciding whether separation is the healthier path. I provide a balanced, nonjudgmental environment in which these difficult decisions can be explored.

Marital Crisis Intervention

Some relationship difficulties reach a point where couples feel overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, or uncertain about whether their relationship can continue. During these periods, a standard therapy session may not provide sufficient time to explore the immediate concerns.

I offer intensive, three-hour marital crisis intervention sessions for couples seeking focused assistance with serious relationship conflicts, betrayal, or difficult decisions about their future.

These sessions provide extended time to identify the central issues, reduce unproductive conflict, improve understanding, and consider possible next steps. They are available by appointment on weekends only.

These appointments are structured relationship interventions rather than emergency or 24-hour crisis services.

Divorce and Family Mediation

When a marriage or long-term relationship is ending, the emotional and practical challenges can be substantial. Separation and divorce often involve grief, anger, uncertainty, financial concerns, and difficult decisions affecting the entire family.

I provide divorce and family mediation services designed to facilitate constructive communication, reduce unnecessary conflict, and help individuals work toward mutually acceptable decisions. My approach emphasizes respectful discussion, clarity, and attention to the needs of everyone affected.

Mediation is distinct from psychotherapy. It focuses on facilitating communication and problem-solving rather than providing mental health treatment. Legal advice and formal legal agreements should be addressed with appropriately qualified legal professionals.

Family Therapy

Family relationships can become strained by longstanding disagreements, differences in expectations, unresolved resentment, or major life transitions. Even families with strong emotional bonds may struggle to communicate effectively or establish healthy boundaries.

I work with adult family members to explore relationship patterns, improve communication, address conflict, and develop more constructive ways of interacting. Treatment may involve parent-adult child relationships, sibling difficulties, extended family conflict, or challenges involving changing family roles and responsibilities.

My approach emphasizes understanding each person's perspective while helping family members develop greater respect, clearer boundaries, and more effective communication.

Parenting Coordination and Co-Parenting Conflict

Ongoing conflict between parents can create considerable emotional strain, particularly during or after separation and divorce. Disagreements involving parenting responsibilities, communication, boundaries, and decision-making may become difficult to resolve without structured assistance.

I provide parenting coordination services to help parents manage recurring disagreements, reduce conflict, and develop more effective approaches to communication and problem-solving.

The emphasis is on supporting constructive, child-focused decision-making while helping parents establish clearer expectations and more consistent approaches to co-parenting.

Parenting coordination is a distinct service from psychotherapy, with its own role, boundaries, and expectations.

Stepfamilies and Blended Family Relationships

Blended families often face challenges involving changing roles, divided loyalties, differing expectations, and uncertainty about boundaries. Relationships between stepparents, adult children, and other family members may require time and thoughtful adjustment.

I help adults and couples navigate these transitions, address disagreements, strengthen communication, and establish realistic expectations. The goal is to support healthier relationships while respecting the unique history and needs of each family member.

Sexual Abuse and Relationship Trauma

Experiences of sexual abuse, coercion, or betrayal can have lasting effects on emotional well-being, self-esteem, trust, and intimate relationships. Survivors may experience anxiety, shame, intrusive memories, difficulty establishing boundaries, or challenges with emotional and physical intimacy.

I provide trauma-informed psychotherapy for adults who have experienced sexual abuse or other traumatic interpersonal experiences. Treatment is individualized and may include evidence-based approaches to help clients process traumatic experiences, address distressing symptoms, and regain a greater sense of personal agency and emotional security.

Emotional Abuse and Difficult Relationship Dynamics

Relationships characterized by persistent criticism, manipulation, controlling behavior, or emotional abuse can undermine confidence and create confusion, anxiety, and emotional distress. Individuals may find themselves questioning their perceptions, struggling to establish boundaries, or feeling unable to make important decisions.

I help adults recognize unhealthy relationship patterns, understand their emotional impact, strengthen boundaries, and develop strategies for protecting their psychological well-being.

When abuse or coercive control is present, treatment prioritizes individual safety and appropriate support rather than assuming that joint couples therapy is suitable.

A Personalized Approach to Relationship Difficulties

Every relationship has its own history, strengths, and challenges. I do not believe that one approach is appropriate for every couple or family. My work focuses on understanding your particular circumstances and helping you identify realistic, meaningful goals.

I provide psychotherapy and coaching through telehealth. If you are considering couples counseling, marriage therapy, family therapy, or one of my specialized relationship services, please contact me to inquire about availability and schedule an intake appointment.