Couples Counseling
Couples Counseling: Creating Strength and Harmony in Your Relationship
Every couple develops patterns in how they relate to one another—some that strengthen connection and others that create distance and conflict. When challenges arise, it’s easy to get stuck in the same unhelpful cycles, hoping things will change but not knowing how to break free. Couples counseling can help you and your partner identify what’s not working and focus on practical, solution-oriented strategies to create lasting change.
I integrate the Gottman Method with Solution-Focused Therapy to help couples improve communication, rebuild trust, and deepen emotional connection. The Gottman Method, based on decades of research, provides insight into relationship dynamics and tools to create lasting harmony. Combined with a solution-focused approach, our work together will emphasize strengths, highlight what’s working, and provide tangible skills to help you move forward with clarity and confidence. Whether you are dating, engaged, or married, the focus is enhancing your bond and creating meaningful and lasting change.
How Do We Know If We Need Couples Counseling?
If you’re asking this question, you’re already on the right track. Couples often seek counseling when they notice recurring arguments, difficulty expressing feelings, or a loss of connection. Solution-focused and Gottman-informed counseling is designed for couples who are committed to growth and want actionable steps to improve their relationship. By focusing on your goals and strengths, we’ll help you turn challenges into opportunities for connection.
What Issues Bring Couples to Counseling?
Couples come to counseling for a variety of reasons, including:
• Frequent arguments or unresolved conflicts
• Struggling with communication
• Feeling distant or disconnected
• Navigating major life changes, like moving, having children, or career shifts
• Differences in values or priorities
• Struggles with intimacy or affection
Counseling helps you address these concerns constructively and equips you with skills to maintain harmony. Each couple is unique, and the approach I use applies solutions to your specific challenges and goals. Whether you’re facing big hurdles or just want to fine-tune your relationship, counseling can help.
Is Couples Counseling is Right for Us?
My approach is ideal for high-functioning couples who want to:
• Improve communication
• Navigate transitions with confidence
• Develop strategies to resolve recurring conflicts
• Build or rebuild trust
• Enhance intimacy and connection
Gottman’s research helps us understand what makes relationships thrive, while solution-focused strategies empower you to take actionable steps toward a healthier, more fulfilling partnership. The goal is for everyone in the relationship to feel more engaged and empowered to grow together in ways that strengthen your bond.
What You Can Expect in Couples Counseling.
From the very first session, you’ll notice this isn’t about rehashing every disagreement you’ve ever had. Instead, we focus on the future: what you both want from your relationship and how to achieve it. Counseling will put attention to your growth, skills, and identifying future-oriented solutions to improve your relationship.
Key steps in our work together:
1. Goal Setting: Collaborate to set clear, actionable goals and to create a shared vision for your future.
2. Skill Building: Learn proven communication strategies, conflict resolution, and emotional connection techniques.
3. Accountability: Maintain open conversations to stay on track and encourage growth.
4. Practical Exercises: Engage in activities designed to improve understanding, intimacy, and appreciation for each other to strengthen your connection both in and out of sessions.
5. Progress Tracking: Celebrate successes along the way and adjust strategies as needed to keep your relationship growing.
This is a collaborative effort—I’m here to point out the signposts, but you and your partner are in the driver’s seat, steering toward a more fulfilling relationship.
How Long Does Couples Counseling Take?
The length of counseling varies depending on your goals and challenges. Some couples find that a few sessions are enough to address specific issues, while others may benefit from ongoing support. The combined approach of Gottman and solution-focused therapy ensures noticeable improvements quickly by identifying strengths and building on them. We’ll regularly assess progress to ensure you’re moving toward the relationship you envision.
FAQs About Couples Counseling
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Absolutely. Communication is the cornerstone of any healthy relationship and one of the most common stress points for a couple. Many couples struggle with misunderstandings, avoiding tough conversations, or feeling unheard. Using Gottman’s communication strategies and solution-focused techniques, we’ll help you understand each other more effectively and reduce conflict. You’ll learn how to navigate difficult discussions without escalating into conflict, and practice ways to ensure both partners feel respected and valued. Whether it’s learning how to listen without judgment, express needs clearly, or how to diffuse arguments before they escalate, couples counseling provides the tools you need to foster understanding and empathy. Better communication can transform how you connect and deepen your emotional intimacy.
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It’s not uncommon for one partner to be more interested in counseling than the other. If one partner is hesitant, an initial consultation can help clarify expectations and address concerns. Often, once hesitant partners see the benefits and feel heard, they become more engaged. For the best outcomes, both partners will need to be committed to the process.
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Absolutely. If your relationship has lost its spark, counseling can help you reconnect. By focusing on shared experiences, expressing appreciation, and exploring new ways to connect, couples often find their bond deepens in unexpected and rewarding ways. Gottman’s approach focuses on rebuilding emotional intimacy, and solution-focused counseling provides strategies to keep that connection strong.
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Yes, sessions are private and confidential, with rare exceptions (for example: safety concerns). This ensures you can speak openly and honestly in a safe space.
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Not at all. Many couples seek counseling as a proactive way to strengthen their bond and prevent future issues. Counseling is for any couple looking to strengthen their connection, regardless of if you’re in a rough patch or simply want to proactively improve your relationship. Whether you’re recently engaged, newlyweds, celebrating decades together, or anywhere in between, counseling can provide valuable tools to enhance connection and harmony.
Begin Couples Counseling in Arizona
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1. Schedule a Consultation.
I offer a complimentary conversation to discuss your specific needs, and any concerns and questions you may have. I'll ask for some basic information to get to know you and also use this time to answer any questions that you might have. If it feels like we are a good fit for working together, we will schedule either an in-person or online appointment.
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2. Therapy Begins.
In the first couple of sessions, I will learn more about you both and together we will explore the goals you have for therapy.
Goal setting that aligns with your values and needs is very important in counseling. Think about it, if we want to get somewhere it’s helpful to have a plan. Are we going in the right direction? Are we making the progress that you want? Working on your relationship is no different, and we always want to set you up for success.
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3. Create Harmony In Your Relationship.
Together, we’ll identify the patterns keeping you stuck and focus on practical steps to create meaningful change in your relationship. By building on your strengths and shifting unhelpful dynamics, you and your partner can foster deeper connection, better communication, and lasting growth.
The length and number of sessions will differ depending on your goals and needs for therapy. For some, a handful of sessions to address a specific issue will be enough, while others may need consistent, weekly or bi-weekly sessions depending on their needs. We can discuss this in further detail to ensure you are receiving the support you are looking for.
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Couples Counseling in Tempe, AZ
Are You Ready?
Your relationship deserves attention and care. Are you ready to take the first step toward connection and growth?
Schedule a consultation today to learn how couples counseling can transform your relationship.
Other Mental Health Services at Wonder Counseling & Consulting
Couples Counseling is only one service I provide in the Tempe, AZ counseling practice. Life is complicated and more often than not we may struggle with more than one issue. Additional services are available in the Tempe office, as well as online anywhere in Arizona. I’m here to help you find the peace and calm you are looking for.
Additional specialties: