FAQs: Couples Therapy in Denver

One glaring area of need when it comes to relationships is lack of intimacy. Though it is quite common, feeling unsatisfied with your sex life is not something that bodes well on a relationship. 

I often work with couples, some married and some not, that are seeking therapy to help them both feel more connected and understood. Very frequently, that includes an unsatisfactory level of intimacy for one or both partners. There are so many factors that go into having a healthy sex life, and my hope is that, in working together, I can help provide a safe place to explore such contributors.

Through both education and supportive and nonjudgemental therapy, we will work together to identify deeper held feelings, beliefs, attitudes and individual needs in both your physical and emotional relationship with your partner. While lack of intimacy is often a frontrunner in partner complaints, it is not always the only factor. Many times, one or both partners is feeling overwhelmed, stressed, tired/fatigued, hormonally off-balance and generally disconnected. Our work together will help to identify some of these underlying causes, as well as how to help feel more connected, or reconnected, on an emotional level.

A lot of the work we will do will also include how to identify what it is you are needing, and even further, how to communicate with your partner in a healthier way that helps him or her understand your needs and how to best support you.

The bottom line is, you are not alone. Lack or loss of intimacy is a common grievance among couples, and I hope to be able to help!

I remember when my husband and I went to a couples therapist many years ago before we were married. Being a therapist, I had a good understanding of what types of things we would address, although my husband was a bit more skeptical. Premarital counseling was a really great way for us to not-only focus on the issues we were already having, but brought to light some issues we had not already though of, even though we had been together quite a long time already.

When working with couples contemplating getting married, or preparing for marriage, we can have a lot of different goals. Some couples are really just needing help with setting familial boundaries, especially with regards to wedding planning. Others are feeling anxiety about some of the pre-existing challenges in their relationship. Another couple may feel like they have a strong relationship, and just need support in continuing to lay a healthy foundation for their marriage and for years down the road.

Once in session, we will initially talk about relationship history and goals for therapy. Depending on whether you are looking to strengthen an already healthy relationship or want/need to address some anxieties one or both of you are having about your plans for a more serious commitment to one another, we will work together to determine best goals and our plan for getting there.

Frequently, whether your relationship feels incredibly healthy or incredibly challenging, most couples, if not all, tend to have areas where their communication can be strengthened and improved. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I am trained in systemic therapy and have training experience with both Gottman and Emotionally Focused Therapies. What that means is that I will help you not only identify some cycles where you may be getting stuck, but will also help you to more deeply identify what it is you might be needing from your partner, and how to get your needs met in a way that feels healthier for both of you.

Ultimately, premarital counseling is an incredibly healthy way to give you and your partner tools for communicating in a more effective way, as well as identifying shared and individual expectations, goals and dreams for your future together.

This is a very common question and I'm glad you are both interested in seeking some support in guiding your relationship together.  Couples' therapy can often be a scary thing when it doesn't have to be.  I work to help support both of you in a neutral way, intending to improve communication and understanding for one another. 

I've worked with many couples who were simply looking to improve communication for a stronger relationship, as well as couples trying to determine if they can stay together or not.  You are both in charge of the goals you have for therapy, and I am here to help facilitate those goals in as neutral and supportive way as possible.

Please feel free to set up an initial phone consultation to ask any additional questions or determine if I may be a good fit for you.