1. Who do you work with?
I work with couples and individual partners. I also help individuals who are having relationship concerns. These concerns may include having difficulty moving past a recent (or not so recent) breakup or finding it challenging to get into a healthy loving relationship. I also work with parents who are having conflict with or concerned about the well-being of their children.
2. Do you always see both partners together?
I sometimes do short-term individual work with one or both partners to focus on specific issues that are affecting their relationship. I don’t consider this individual therapy which can be more long-term and where I would keep what we discuss individually confidential. When I work with couples all communications between myself and either partner are always available for me to bring up during our couples sessions. My preference is always to help the partner share the information.
3. How long will it take to get better?
As long as you decide it’s going to take. Couples who are open to learning about themselves and each other, are willing to take personal responsibility for their feelings, thoughts and behavior, truly value and take care of themselves consistently, set loving boundaries and do not take their partner’s behavior personally are more likely to achieve their goals in a shorter amount of time. I can help you learn these loving partner behaviors and qualities.
4. Does insurance cover couples/marriage counseling?
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, my services may be reimbursable if your insurance covers couples/marriage therapy.
5. What if my partner doesn’t want to join me in counseling?
When one partner changes the relationship changes. By taking better care of yourself you role model the joyful possibilities for your partner. You never know how your partner will respond to your positive changes.
6. Can you ‘fix’ our relationship?
Only you and your partner can ‘fix’ your relationship. I can provide you with tools, feedback and guidance. It is up to the two of you to decide how committed you are to doing whatever it takes to create a joyful, intimate and passionate relationship based on trust.
7. What is the first session like?
During the first session I’ll have you review and you sign the HIPAA Notice of Privacy and my Informed Consent/Office Policies. Then I’ll do a very brief assessment and have you identify what you want to accomplish with counseling and your intention for our first session together. The rest of the time you’ll experience what it looks like to work with me. At the end of the session we will review what you learned and discuss what your next steps are. If, at that time, you feel more hopeful and believe that I can help you, we will schedule your next session.
8. How soon will I know if working with you will be helpful?
You will know by the end of our first session together whether I’m the right person to work with you. Does my style, technique and philosophy resonate with you? Does it feel like I ‘get’ you? Do you feel the skills you learned about and experienced will help you achieve your goals? Most importantly do you feel more hopeful? Trust your intuition.