Marital, Couples and Family Services

Couples and family treatment is important to obtain prior to negative patterns becoming fixed. I have been very successful in helping individuals in relationships develop new and enduring connections that may last despite major stresses. Financial issues, household division of work, step and blended family, health and career changes can impact a relationship in ways that seem insurmountable. Utilization of sound individual and marital interviews can get the treatment off to a good start. Provision of assigned tasks, communication rules and boundaries, and specific techniques tailored to fit the unique needs of the relationship are very helpful in most cases. Even if the couple is separated and seemingly on the verge of dissolution, a well versed couples or family oriented psychologist can help the couple resolve long term issues regarding needs that have not been met, gender roles, and environmental (work, children, financial, extended family, community) road blocks with success.

When a couple or relationship has decidedly ended prior to seeking treatment, many times it may be helpful to receive therapy to process the closure. It is helpful to utilize treatment when ending relationships with extended family and step children if they are involved. Becoming friendly in adult relationships, in a post committed relationship may be the best outcome for many couples who have decided to end their intimate relationship. Gay and Lesbian couples are treated in nearly the same way as other couples, with special emphasis placed on their individual circumstances and cultural or diversity challenges.

Home visits/sessions are helpful and can be provided, although not covered by typical insurance reimbursements, such arrangements will be made personally on an as needed basis. Weekend and evenings appointments are available to those paying fee for service rates. Rates per session will be made available upon intake and during initial phone calls to arrange appointments.

Step families and blended families are at extremely high risk in today’s society. Treatment with a skilled psychologist can help children in families undergoing transition cope with the numerous stressors related to such changes. Parents with concerns related to parent alienation, stress on children, and abuse of children are accepted into treatment readily. Such cases are not treated as forensic (court ordered) and will require cooperation from both biological parents in the form of signed agreements and releases to treat the child(ren).

Histories of abuse and other negatively perceived events during childhood tend to shape and develop thought patterns and influence perceptions of adults. Many times treatment may include identification of such patterns and slight alterations to help the adult(s) in the relationship get their needs met in appropriate ways. Lasting results may be observed when those issues are addressed in a safe and supportive manner.

Communication skills are taught to couples and specific instructions are provided to the couple regarding behaviors that may come up in between the sessions. I utilize treatment techniques from Relationship Enhancement, Imago, and Functional Family therapy and other family systems literature to help guide the couple to a better understanding of the problem, solutions and decisions they may need to make.

Bibliotherapy is a useful technique when working with couples. Utilization of joint reading tasks or completion of brief questions together can help accurately access the needs of the couple. The choice of such tasks assigned to a couple is specific to the unique needs of the couple.

At times an individual in the couple relationship is diagnosed and meets criteria for a specific behavioral or personality disorder. I have specialists I work with in the community to provide medication if we decide medications may help. Individual adult disorders in the couple relationship may be addressed by continuing the couple treatment while one adult is referred to receive specialized treatment such as alcohol or sexual addiction treatment.

The areas that I have extensive training in treating for all types of couples include the following:

• Blended and step family problems
• Parenting differences
• Sexual and other childhood abuse histories
• Financial differences
• Infidelity
• Communication issues
• Boredom
• Aging or mid life crisis
• Sexual changes
• Anger and emotional instability
• Career changes
• Family or friend interference
• Grief and loss
• Household responsibility issues

Couples and family treatment is a rewarding area to work in. At the same time it is also extremely important for a psychologist working in this area to have enough time with the adults in the relationship to help them find their way. My couples and family work is typically scheduled in two hour blocks of time. The typical 45 minute session per week covered by insurance does not provide the necessary time needed to really make a difference quickly. My work in this area is provided at fee for service rates only in order to give the couple or family the time needed to succeed. At times, and depending upon the needs of the clients, I may meet with them individually and together or more than one time per week. I find that providing access to reach me throughout the week by cell phone or email can help maintain stability during flare ups of issues.

If you are interested in discussing marital, couples, premarital, or family treatment, please call the Clinical Services number and give a number and good time to reach you. I will call back within 24 hours and discuss your needs in a brief consult.