Couples Therapy in Grand Rapids

There are a few things that set me apart from the other therapists you may consider or have worked with in the past. And while these are certainly not unique to only me, together they help me ensure that you are set up to gain the best result possible from your investment.

First, I offer two-hour extended sessions (110 minutes) in addition to offering the standard 50-minute sessions. Many of my couples choose these extended sessions because we can cover more ground and really get to the core of the conversation without having to rush or cut it short because we ran out of time. This means we can get deeper into the heart of your overall concerns in a more concise span of time, making these extended sessions a more economical option for your overall time and budget.

Second, my full intake extends over three sessions and includes individual time with you and your partner. This is because I work with three entities as your couples therapist: you, your partner, and your relationship. The better foundation I can establish early on to understand who you both are as individuals, the better I can see how you each show up in this relationship and best tackle what's troubling you.

And third, not every couples therapist is comfortable talking about sex. Some aren't required to take more than one or two classes on how to work with couples and their sex lives, depending on the type of program they completed. And while not every couple may feel their sex life is a priority for therapy, the couples who choose me as their therapist want someone who isn't shy about incorporating conversations about this area into our work - even if they're not sure how to do it themselves.

There are two main modalities that I use in my work. One is Gottman Method Couples Therapy. I like this approach because the concepts and tools are based on decades of research that not only examined what wasn't working for unhappy couples but what does work for the couples who stay together over time. This approach focuses on building better communication, improving closeness, and developing tools for how to address conflict.

The second modality I often use is Emotion Focused Therapy. This approach helps couples reconnect and develop a more secure bond by enhancing emotional safety and changing to more positive patterns of interaction when negative feelings are experienced.

Both approaches are significant in the therapy I provide to my clients. The unique mix that I use with each couple depends on what goals you have and the present issues we're discussing in session. Other modalities I may bring to session include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Existential Therapy, and humanistic or solution-focused approaches.

Yes. I do not provide mediation therapy for couples who are actively separating or going through a divorce; nor do I provide discernment counseling, which is shorter-term therapy for couples who are deciding whether to remain in or end the relationship. The couples I work with agree on at least one thing - they want to be together.

I also do not work with couples with co-occurring domestic violence, substance use dependency, or sexual addiction/out-of-control sexual behaviors. These concerns require specific training and/or may not be the right fit for telehealth therapy.