Different Models I Offer Clients Who Are Struggling in Their Relationship

On this page below, you can click on the links for information about the different models that I offer to help partners and individual adult clients who are struggling with relationship issues.  Some of my clients are considering what path they will take in terms of their relationship and maybe inquiring about Couples Therapy; while others are contacting me because they have already decided to separate, or divorce. I help clients look at their relationship and discern what the right direction is for them. My office is a judgement-free zone and a safe space to discuss any relationship, religious and/or cultural belief, gender, and all forms sexuality. Please see my Qualifications Page for information on my background and training. 

Initial Call With Clients:

When partners are looking for assistance with their relationship; often one of them reaches out to me for help. During that initial call with one of the partners, sometimes they may relay to me that they are not sure what direction they need to take and that they may be “leaning out” of their relationship. They go on to describe that they are at a point in the relationship where they are stuck and don’t know how to get “unstuck”. Further, some may describe that either they or a partner has had an emotional and/or physical affair(s). Others describe that they are tired from the negative cycle, they are not sure they want to work on their relationship going forward, and they often state that Couples Therapy is not an option for them and/or maybe they have done it before and feel it didn’t resolve the issues.

We then make a plan that I will speak with the other partner(s). When I speak with them on the phone; I quite often encounter someone that is equally hurting and stuck, but in many instances, wants to work on the relationship and go to Couples Therapy. These “mixed-agenda” partners are at different places; as one may want to relaunch the relationship (aka: the “leaning-in” partner) and another is not sure (aka: “leaning-out” partner). There are also occasions where all partners are “leaning out”, and so there is no one paradigm that fits all partners.

When at least one partner continues to state they are not able to enter Couples Therapy, in many instances, I recommend to those partners to consider scheduling a Discernment Counseling session.

On each of the links below, you will find extensive descriptions of how I help people who are dealing with relationship and/or co-parenting issues. Regardless of the model chosen by partners, I have also found that my background as an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist is also critical to assist clients where some underlying issues may be related to intimacy.

If You Have Children:

If you have children, it is important for partners who are engaged in any of these models below to minimize any possible emotional trauma for any children involved; as well as for all partners. Keep in mind that children can remain grounded and healthy during this time as long as they have at least one parent or guardian who provides a safe, nurturing and consistent home for them. Children may feel pain, grief and/or anger when their parents/guardians relationship is not in sync, and it’s up to the co-parents to unify together to provide the emotional support that is needed to help the children transition.      

Support for Partners or Individual Adults Can Be Provided in a Number of Ways:

Please click on the links below to learn more about each option:

• Couples Therapy
• Sex Therapy
• Infidelity and Multiple Affairs
• Healing Separation
• Discernment Counseling
• Divorce / Non-Adversarial Support
• Divorce Recovery
• Co-Parenting Counseling

Our Work Together:

I help my clients who are considering separation and/or divorce by structuring our sessions to keep the priority on making decisions and compromises. My clients often reduce their legal fees as a result of our sessions; as they are better able to present their questions and/or requests to their other advisors with clarity and are less reactive toward their partner. In addition, the emotional and physical toll is reduced because disagreements and stonewalling are worked through in our sessions. Clients will quite often bring the content of our discussions and/or agreements from our sessions to their supportive divorce professionals: legal, financial, mental health, real estate, etc., which results in a more organized and cost-effective process overall; as well as protecting their health, and those of any children, from stress-induced illnesses.

Thinking of separation, or being in the process of getting a divorce, can be a very vulnerable time, and it is essential to process things with a professional.

Note: Counseling is not a substitute for legal advice and I encourage one to consult with an attorney for legal advice.