Experiencing tension, discord or disconnection in our relationships can lead to distress
It can impact our emotional, mental and even physical health. When our relationships are healthy, they feed us, creating a nurturing base from which to go out into the world. When they are under duress, the impact can follow us throughout every part of our lives. Some will cope by shutting down or pulling away. Others, driven by panic will demand connection to calm the storms evoked within. Both can lead to feeling more alone than ever.
Our relationships not only have the potential to guide us towards healing but can also serve as healing spaces themselves. However, achieving this takes work and often another person to help you work through the anger, resentment, rejection, and loneliness that can be felt in relationships when things have gone awry. Someone who can hear each of you and help you to hear each other can be necessary in breaking down the disconnection.
Traditional Couples Therapy
Couples therapy focuses on enhancing communication, resolving conflicts, and fostering a deeper understanding between you as partners. Whether dealing with communication breakdowns, intimacy issues, or healing from relational or betrayal wounds, couples therapy provides a supportive space to explore your dynamics, strengthen your bond, while cultivating a healthier, more deeply connected and authentic relationship.
ENM / Poly Relationships
In polyamorous relationships, dealing with difficulties can bring up feelings of shame and guilt. People may hesitate to talk about these struggles because they want to protect themselves from possible judgment, especially in a world that mostly values monogamous relationships. The stigma around non-traditional relationship structures makes it hard to openly share challenges with a therapist. Having a poly friendly therapist can help, but working with a poly therapist that understands it from the inside out can make all the difference.
For these reasons, it’s important to me to be dedicated to create nurturing spaces where you will be accepted, affirmed and understood. I have dedicated myself to reimagining interventions and protocols to effectively address the unique needs of individuals in various non-monogamous relationship structures, especially when there are more than two partners with me in the room. This involves adapting and developing strategies that acknowledge and respect the complexities in non-monogamous dynamics.
For New Relationships (6-18 Months Old)
You thought the hard part was over when you met someone, and, despite the occasional moments of uncertainty, you found a person you genuinely connect with. However, there are moments that surface when you feel like you’ve been transported to another realm and you don’t quite recognize the person you’re with. It can feel uncomfortable, destabilizing and even frightening. When this happens, we can often find ourselves contemplating compatibility and wondering if you’ve got what it takes to create a strong relationship together without truly discovering what it’s like to work through challenges and reach the other side. When we learn to navigate the complexities of a relationship, we can begin to hope again building greater safety and security.
I’ve been working on reimagining interventions for new relationships in order to help people build a strong foundation from the beginning.
Uncoupling / Endings
Endings can be profoundly painful, and at times, we may require help to make sense of these closures and part ways from a more compassionate perspective. Seeking support during these challenging moments can foster a process of closure that promotes healing and enables individuals to navigate the complexities of endings with greater understanding and empathy for one another.
Our APPROACH
As a relationship (couples) therapist I am trained in multiple therapeutic modalities, and I enjoy selecting and combining different approaches to tailor my interventions to best suit the relational dynamic or the specific moment. This flexibility allows me to be eclectic and responsive to the unique dynamics of the people before me. Rather than attempting to fit folks into a predefined modality, I draw from my toolbox of approaches to identify what is most fitting for the present moment. My approach is intuitive and responsive, informed by years of training that continues to evolve to this day. This commitment to ongoing learning ensures that I stay attuned to the diverse needs and nuances of the people and the relationship structures I work with.
