WHAT TO EXPECT IN RELATIONSHIP THERAPY SESSIONS

The process of relationship therapy revolves around open conversations and active listening. Each session is an opportunity for all voices to be heard, ensuring that everyone’s perspective is acknowledged. I encourage honest dialogue where you can express your needs, concerns, and hopes for the relationship. As a therapist, I’m here to facilitate these conversations, helping you to communicate more effectively and to better understand each other.

Collaborative planning is a key part of our work together. We’ll set goals for therapy that reflect what you want to achieve as a couple, whether that’s improving communication, resolving specific conflicts, or deepening your connection. This collaborative approach ensures that the therapy process is tailored to your unique relationship, with both partners actively involved in shaping the path forward.

One of the challenges in relationship therapy is balancing multiple perspectives and the complexities that come with them. Relationships are multifaceted, with each person bringing their own experiences, emotions, and viewpoints to the table. In therapy, we’ll work together to navigate these complexities, finding common ground while also respecting individual differences. This balance is essential for creating a stronger, more resilient partnership.

Throughout our sessions, you can expect a supportive and constructive approach that helps you and your partner(s) build a healthier, more fulfilling relationship, rooted in mutual respect and understanding.

TYPES OF RELATIONSHIPS WELCOMED

In my practice, all types of relationships are welcomed and respected. Whether your relationship(s) is/are romantic or platonic, long-term or new, monogamous or not—I am here to support you. I believe that all relationships deserve attention and care, no matter what form they take.

In long-term relationships, therapy can help renew connections, address ongoing issues, or simply create space to reflect on your journey together. For newer relationships, therapy offers a way to build a solid foundation, ensuring that your connection is grounded in healthy communication and mutual understanding.

In addition to working with monogamous relationships, I am deeply committed to supporting non-monogamous partnerships. Whether you’re in an open relationship, practicing polyamory, or exploring other forms of consensual non-monogamy, this is a space where your relationship structure is not just accepted but understood and valued. I believe that every relationship deserves to be seen and supported in its own right, without imposing traditional norms or judgments.

Inclusivity and acceptance are cornerstones of my approach. I strive to create a therapeutic environment where all relationship dynamics are welcomed. My goal is to provide a space where you feel safe to discuss your experiences, work through challenges, and celebrate the unique aspects of your relationship(s).

I also recognize the importance of platonic relationships—friendships and familial bonds (including chosen families) that are just as vital to our well-being as romantic partnerships. Whatever type of relationship you're looking to nurture, I am here to provide the support you need.

Therapy can offer valuable tools to enhance your connections, resolve conflicts, and help you grow together. I’m here to support you in building relationships that are authentic, meaningful, and true to who you are.

THE THERAPY PROCESS

Starting relationship therapy is a simple process designed to help you and your partner(s) feel comfortable and supported right from the beginning. The first step is an initial consultation, where we’ll have an open conversation about what brings you to therapy. This allows us to get to know each other, discuss your relationship dynamics, and identify the specific issues you’d like to address. It’s also a chance for you to ask any questions and to see if my approach feels like a good fit for your needs.

Together, we’ll outline what you hope to achieve through therapy, whether it’s to improve communication, rebuild trust, or deepen intimacy. These goals will guide our work and ensure that we’re all on the same page about the direction of therapy.

I place a strong emphasis on transparency, and aim to view each unique situation with a culturally sensitive lens. Client involvement in treatment planning is also a big part of the process. I believe that therapy should be a collaborative process, where everyone is actively engaged in shaping the course of our work together.

In our sessions, I use a variety of evidence-based techniques tailored to your relationship.

Those approaches may include:

• Emotion Focused Approach: helps you connect with your deeper emotions and understand how they influence your interactions.

• The Gottman Method: focuses on practical tools for improving communication and managing conflict.

• Narrative Therapy: allows us to explore and reshape the stories you tell about your relationship

• Attachment-Based Techniques: delve into how your early experiences shape your current connections

Through these methods, we’ll work together to strengthen your relationship, address challenges, and build a more fulfilling and resilient partnership.

ADDRESSING SOCIETAL INFLUENCES ON RELATIONSHIPS

Societal factors play a significant role in shaping our relationships, often influencing how we connect with others and how we perceive ourselves within those connections. Gender dynamics, cultural messaging, race, and political ideology can all deeply impact the way we relate to our partners, friends, and family members. These influences can create expectations, pressures, and misunderstandings that may strain relationships, sometimes without us even realizing it.

Gender dynamics, for instance, can impose traditional roles that may not align with your values or the way you wish to engage in your relationship. Cultural messaging can dictate what a “successful” relationship looks like, often promoting ideals that are unrealistic or exclusionary. Race, culture, different cultures, and ethnicity can affect how you experience your relationship, particularly in intercultural or interracial partnerships, where different cultural norms and experiences of systemic racism can create unique challenges. Political ideology, too, can be a source of tension, especially in a polarized environment where differing views can lead to conflict.

In our therapy sessions, we’ll create a safe and open space to explore how these societal influences affect your relationship. We’ll discuss how these external factors may be impacting your connection, communication, and overall sense of harmony. By understanding the broader context in which your relationship exists, we can work together to identify patterns, challenge unhelpful narratives, and develop strategies that align with your values and experiences.

Emphasizing the intersectionality of experiences is crucial in this process. No one aspect of your identity exists in isolation—your gender, race, culture, and beliefs intersect in complex ways that shape your relationship dynamics. By acknowledging and addressing these intersections, we can develop a more nuanced understanding of your relationship and work towards a stronger, more authentic connection that honors all aspects of who you are.