Couple’s and Relationship Matters.. Why? Because Relationships Matter!!
Who is This Therapy for??
- Couples in a variety of stages in their relationships, however, the common theme we come across is partners struggling with communication & ending up struggling to connect in various aspects of life. We are equipped to support you whether the issue is arising from childhood trauma that has created unhelpful patterns of functioning or whether it is related to a present conflict that has arisen between you & your partner.
- Individuals or couples who have had relationship issues in the past that you are seeking healing from in order to approach your next or present relationship from a healthier place
- Couples who have been impacted by the pain of infidelity, yet desire to work towards reconciliation
- Couples who are seeking pre-marital counseling & want to lay the right foundation for their marriage
- Maybe you find yourself navigating the unique challenges of uniting your blended families from previous relationships. Your desire to experience a loving & supportive relationship AND family life with your current spouse can & should exist! We would be honored to support you guys as you do the work to make this a reality.
What About if I am Currently Single, Casually Dating, or My Partner is Unwilling to Participate in Therapy?
- We love working with individuals who are seeking to explore their behavior patterns within relationships. Although real couple’s therapy can only be done with both parties’ active involvement, there is still so much benefit to seeking your own healing & self exploration! You may also be surprised to find out how empowered you become through the process of therapy to ask for what you need in relationships, enforce healthy boundaries, & show up as the partner you have always desired to be.
- Maybe you desire to be in a meaningful & long-term relationship but would like to work through your own stuff first. We are excited to support you in your journey!
We are trained in working with trauma & especially passionate about working with the impacts of trauma as experienced relationally.
What is Trauma & How Does it Impact Me?
Trauma can be the impact of any number of distressing incidents in isolation or experiences over time especially throughout childhood (i.e. complex & developmental trauma). When these negative experiences alter your body’s responses to certain stimuli or situations that feel similar to those past experiences, this is a trauma response experienced in the present (ex. being “triggered”).
Unfortunately, regardless of whether the trauma is from several weeks ago or was experienced many years prior, it can cause a reaction that is very debilitating to us in the present. Furthermore, your reactions to certain “triggering” content will be tied to how your mind has coded that experience & so you will have little influence over how you instinctively respond unless you are intentionally doing the work to diminish the effects of those triggering responses. This is the present pain of trauma. You know how you would desire to behave & think, however, you may find you struggle to show up the way you want to in the moment. Without addressing these issues; you may find yourself stuck in a cycle of having negative reactions & being continuously triggered despite your best efforts.
Here are Some Common Responses to Trauma to Help you Gage if You May be Showing Symptoms of Being Impacted:
Symptoms by Category:
- Behavioral: agitation, irritability, hostility, hypervigilance, self-destructive behavior, or social isolation
- Psychological: flashback, fear, severe anxiety, or mistrust
- Mood: loss of interest or pleasure in activities, guilt, or loneliness
- Sleep: insomnia or nightmares
- Also common: emotional detachment or unwanted thoughts
(Information provided by Mayo Clinic & other medical resources)
Trauma in the Form of Systemic Oppression & Other Societal Forms…
We are acknowledging now more than ever that trauma can be generational as well as societal such as in the example of systemic oppression. Our therapists recognize the reality of the impact of this kind of trauma & desire to support our clients of color by honoring this part of your story & allowing you the space to explore this as its impact may come up in your work.