Services
Relationships Counseling
Approach
At our initial meeting I will strive to see what the needs of the couple, friends, or parent-child patients are, and form an understanding of how we can work together to improve relating. Many times the best way to approach issues of poor relating, arguing, or bickering is first to work on managing one's own emotions first so that new communication patterns can be set into place. Relationship counsling can be challenging for the participants as I tend to give them assignments to work on indidvually and together. I approach changes in behavior that will create a safer emotional environment so that appropriate communication can take place. Sometimes it is a particular issue of one or the other person in relationship that brings both to counseling. These issues can be trauma, past abuse, addiction, inability to regulate anger, mental illness. When this occurs I will first assess if I can be helpful for the particular need and then whether we should start with individual counseling to lay a foundation for future relationship counseling.
Pre-marital counseling
I offer premarital counseling to those that are getting married in the near future. I use the Prepare-Enrich test to look at relationship strengths and areas of growth that the couple can focus and build on as well as help the couple learn useful communication skills. Premarital counseling is usually at a reduced fee and is not covered by insurance.
Billing
Couples therapy is usually not paid for by managed care, but negotiated fees can be discussed for those that want to pursue this avenue.
