Relationships

Relationship Counseling

Relationships counseling is for all relationships including romantic partnerships, both monogamous and not, family relationships, friendships, and work relationships. Our families of origin are where we learn to be in relationship to others. We take these lessons, for better or worse, into the rest of our relationships throughout our lives. Relationship counseling can help individuals understand their roles, expectations, and contributions to the dynamics that show up in all of their relationships, fostering empathy and insight. Gestalt relationship counseling supports greater self-awareness, enhances communication, and fosters healthier connections by encouraging individuals to explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors as they occur in real-time during sessions. Individuals in relationship are supported to convey their feelings, needs, and concerns honestly and authentically, while navigating disagreements without resorting to destructive behaviors like blame or avoidance. My approach focuses on understanding and honoring the differences between individuals in relationship in order to be more accepting of each other and themselves.

  • Relationship counseling fosters self-awareness, personal responsibility, and authenticity in communication. Individuals are encouraged to engage in active listening and communicate in the present moment, paying attention to non-verbal cues, such as body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions, facilitating a deeper understanding of underlying emotions and intentions. This form of communication can reduce distractions and preoccupation with past or future events and encourages to take ownership of their communication styles and the impact of their words on their partner. This can help relationships move beyond destructive patterns of arguing in order find mutually agreeable solutions.

  • Every individual holds both explicit and invisible expectations for their relationships. When two, or more, individuals come together there is often a mismatch in these expectations. Gestalt therapy encourages each individual in the couple to recognize their own expectations, desires, and needs as well as the ways they are realistically willing and able to show up for others. Individuals are guided in establishing healthy boundaries to protect their own needs and respect each other's expectations. Clear boundaries can reduce conflicts and misunderstandings in relationships.

  • Unmet needs can result from barriers within the relationship, such as communication difficulties, past conflicts, or unresolved issues. Relationship counseling encourages individuals to become more aware of their needs, express them openly, and work with their partners to find constructive ways to meet these needs. Each partner is encouraged to understand the origin of their needs and take ownership of their needs and communicate them directly, without blame or criticism. Validating one another's needs fosters empathy and mutual respect.

  • Whether it's the early stages of a relationship, moving in together, changing the structure of a relationship, or dealing with significant changes, therapy can provide support, facilitate communication, and promote healthy adaptation during these transitions. Relatioships face new challenges and uncertainties during transitions, but they can also trigger personal growth and self-discovery. During transitions, individuals often bring unspoken expectations into the relationship. I assist partners in identifying and discussing these expectations, helping partners express their thoughts, concerns, and expectations clearly, and fostering alignment and mutual understanding as they adapt to changes in the relationship.