Work toward a relationship dynamic characterized by empathy, acceptance, and mutual effort.
Couples Therapy in Arlington, VA
In-person and online therapy for residents of Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and most other states.
Love begins as a feeling. To endure, it must evolve into choice and action.
Despite all the rewards and happiness that can come with relationships, they can also be messy and complex. We long to be loved, appreciated, seen, and accepted by our partners, and yet we also fear being rejected, abandoned, engulfed, or judged.
Why Start Couples Therapy?
Most intimate relationships will struggle at some point. Whether you and your partner are currently at a crossroads, or you just want to make sure you’re staying on track, couples therapy can help you build a stronger relationship foundation.
Common Issues Addressed in Couples Therapy
You might be having disagreements about chores, travel, extended family, childcare, finances, or sex. Or perhaps you are grappling with important decisions like when to get married, what your partnership should look like, where to live, or whether to have children. You could be dealing with the aftermath of infidelity or betrayal.
The Impact of Personal History
Relationship challenges may also be magnified by a history of anxiety, depression, substance abuse, attention deficits, trauma, or stress in one or both partners.
Enhancing a Good Relationship
Couples also come to therapy to make a good thing better. They use therapy to become an even stronger team. This includes improving intimacy communication, breaking patterns that are holding the couple back, deepening their capacity to tolerate difference and navigate conflict, and creating distinct boundaries from the families of origin.
Navigating Pain and Disconnection
While great deal of pain can show up in moments of disconnection, disappointment, or resentment, it doesn’t necessarily mean the relationship is doomed.
How Couples Therapy in Arlington, VA Can Help
Couples therapy can help you respond more effectively to the tough times, so that the hard parts become a part of a strengthened bond and more resilient relationship.
Don't wait until problems become overwhelming. I am dedicated to creating a compassionate, non-judgmental environment where both partners feel heard and valued.
Schedule your consultation today, and let’s begin your journey towards a healthier, happier relationship.
WHAT WE’LL DO TOGETHER
Couples therapy in Arlington, VA can help you:
Improve communication
Reduce conflict
Build trust
Break cycles of negative interaction
Restore or deepen emotional and sexual intimacy
Find the right balance between being an I and being a we
I also provide Pre-Marital Therapy where couples can explore important topics, hopes, and challenges using a semi-structured approach designed to promote foundational communication, connection, conflict management skills, and collaborative envisioning.
WHAT WE’LL DO TOGETHER
Premarital therapy topics include:
Creating a love that can grow over time
Communication
Skills for reducing and preventing conflict
Sex and intimacy
Family
Finances
Envisioning roles and pursuing shared dreams
Values
“Love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking together in the same direction.”
— Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
What to Expect
When I meet with a couple initially, I focus on understanding their relationship concerns, establishing goals for therapy, and assessing whether there is a good therapist-client fit. We’ll begin with a comprehensive assessment of your relationship, followed by a structured therapy plan.
Comprehensive Relationship Assessment
Initial Conjoint Session
Understand the dynamics of your relationship and identify key areas for improvement.
Individual Assessment Sessions
Gain insights into each partner’s experiences and perspectives.
Detailed Feedback
Receive a thorough analysis of your relationship’s strengths and challenges.
Customized Interventions
Empathic Joining
Gain a deeper understanding of emotional responses, creating a foundation of trust and empathy.
Communication Skill-Building
Learn to express feelings and needs clearly while also actively listening to each other without judgment.
Conflict Management
Replace negative conflict patterns with positive interactions and learn effective repair techniques.
Shared Meaning Creation
Develop shared goals and values, enhancing your sense of partnership.
An Evidence-Based and Inclusive Approach
My therapeutic approach integrates research-supported couples treatments, including Integrative Behavioral Couples Therapy (IBCT), Schema-Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for couples, and the Gottman Method.
I work with couples of all ages, backgrounds, and genders. I welcome all, including LGBTQIA+ couples.