Couples and Marriage Counseling
You are hurting.
You’ve tried to see a counselor before, and it didn’t work. You are back at the same place as before (or worse). Now you are doing a Google search in hopes that some stranger may fix your marriage.
You agree on one thing - something has to change.
You wouldn’t be together if it weren’t for the kids. The same fight happens over and over again. Or maybe one or both of you gave up fighting a while ago, and now, things are just stale. You are basically roommates, going through the motions while waiting for the kids to graduate.
This is where I come in.
My approach to therapy will likely be different than what you may have searched for or worked with in the past.
I believe in joining with clients through the truth. My approach is straight-forward, transparent, and honest.
My intent is for you and your partner to confront the challenges and difficult truths in your relationship and I will always be upfront about where I feel your relationship stands. It is my belief that it is disrespectful to NOT be completely honest about the patterns I see in your relationship. I will not be a passive observer, who does not force you to confront your own role in the decisions you make.
This is not 'harsh truth' or 'tough love'. This is the result of years of data-driven research in how relationships work and how to hold yourself and your partner accountable. My training helps to show you and your partner how to think about areas where you are unintentionally self-centered, unfeeling, or counterproductive. I will tell you what you are doing to damage your relationship, and I will show you how to be accountable for recognizing and correcting those behaviors.
You are looking for a relationship specialist because you want real change.
I promise to be direct and honest with where you are getting in the way of your own goals and what you need to do to improve your relationship by being more intentional with how you approach your challenges. I am confident that I can give you the tools to improve and strengthen your relationship because I have spent years training, researching, learning, and practicing these skills.
utilizing more than one model of couples counseling gives me highly specialized unique interventions for every couple that walks into my office.
Couples want skills to manage or cope with a situation, and other couples want to build a more meaningful, deeper connection. Not only will I give you skills, but I’ll also help you get to that part of you that doesn’t want to use them! This is why I am trained in four models of couples counseling.
That being said, the Gottman Method of Therapy is my initial “go to” for couples work. I love to take relationship research and put it to practical use for each couple I see. The Gottman Method of Therapy is based on 40 years of research and clinical practice helping couples achieve greater understanding, connection, and intimacy in their relationships. By gathering empirical data from more than 3,000 couples, it has been proven to help couples achieve long-term healthy relationships. I am the only Gottman Leader in North Dakota as a provider of The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work program and Gottman Trained Educator with the Bringing Baby Home program. In addition to those programs, I have completed all 3 levels of the Gottman Clinican Training.
The Gottman Method of Couples Therapy Helps Couples
Increase respect, affection, and closeness
Break through and resolve conflict when they feel stuck
Generate greater understanding between partners
Keep conflict discussions calm
I am also excited to exclusively offer the Gottman Relationship Checkup for couples in the Fargo, West Fargo and Moorhead areas! The assessment consists of 480 questions about friendship, intimacy, emotions, conflict, values, and trust. It also explores parenting, housework, finances, and other known areas of potential conflict. This assessment provides valuable information for both pre-marital couples and for couples who feel stuck in a relationship rut.
Reasons Couples Seek Marriage Counseling:
Pre-Marital Counseling
Relationship Conflict
Controlled Separation
Transition to Parenthood
Co-Parenting
Emotional and Relational Intelligence
Life Transitions
Infidelities/Affairs
Intimacy Issues
Secret Keeping
Couples Intensive Counseling
I work with all couples in any relationship status, at all stages. From pre-committed to married, I have experience and training unique to the Fargo area. I look forward to getting to know you and your relationship!
You can learn more about me and my counseling approach on my about page. If you have questions about services, you can find many are answered on my FAQ page. If your question isn’t answered there, feel free to contact me! Are you interested in setting up an appointment? Please call 701-478-4144.
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