Relationship Therapy
Why are Relationships so Important?
Whether you are single or in a relationship, a parent or grandparent, spouse or partner, or family member; and in the workplace as an employer or employee, business owner, leader, or team member, there is a high probability that you will find yourself struggling with some aspect of your dynamic(s). So, if you are finding yourself “off”, i.e. anxious, unhappy, unmotivated, sad, frustrated, angry, impatient, unsatisfied (you get the idea), then some aspect of your life may be RELATIONALLY OUT OF BALANCE.
RELATIONSHIPS are ubiquitous. Whether these connections are between individuals, groups, species, cultures, or within the sciences like chemical reactions, atoms, weather patterns, astronomical phenomena, economics (i.e. supply/demand), there are countless examples of how most things we know, use, think about, are either directly or indirectly connected, interdependent or integrated, are part of a multi-layered, complex web of relationships.
RELATIONSHIPS throughout history have left their marks, and chronicled within literature, songwriting, storytelling, in film and television, in business and commerce, politics and religion. And whether you love it or hate it, the Internet has taken what it means to be in relationship(s) to levels never heretofore imagined.
So, how does all this fit in with your situation? Well, your relationship does not exist in a bubble. It is obviously part of something bigger and is perpetually exposed and vulnerable to external influences and forces that can exacerbate any pre-existing problems or issues you may have, i.e. communication, intimacy, co-parenting, etc... Relationship and Couples Therapy can be a wonderful way for you to arm yourselves with tools, insight, self-regulation, and emotional intelligence so that you can be at your best when tackling your challenges within an often complex and demanding world.
Check out this short video to get a glimpse of what can be possible with a little work, patience, and commitment to be at your best with each other:
John and Julie Gottman’s body of work and extensive research have also helped to revolutionize couples therapy by introducing the idea that certain patterns of behaviors and types of interactions can predict with over 90% accuracy, whether or not couples stay together over a long period of time.
The way couples communicate, connect, love, and attempt repair say a lot about their respective personalities and styles; and unless partners are deeply curious and aware about those qualities (in themselves and their partners), then misunderstandings and unfulfilled expectations consume the relationship.
As EFT founder Susan Johnson asserts in her description of human beings, “we depend on each other to survive and thrive”. She punctuates how vital it is for therapists and clinicians to understand the vital roles that “bonding and belonging” play while working with couples.
Rudy’s approach to Couples Therapy & Coaching integrates proven, effective interventions from several of the most widely respected and empirically validated frameworks in relationship therapy:
Their collective focus incorporates the following concepts and lenses: Attachment, Cognitive-Behavioral, Psychodynamic, Experiential frameworks of therapy.
The Gottman Method (John and Julie Gottman)
Susan Johnson’s Emotionally Focused therapy EFT
Ellen Bader and Dr. Peter Pearson’s The Couples’ Institute
Terry Real, Relational Life Institute (Pia Melody’s influence)
Dr. Dan Siegel’s seminal work in Interpersonal Neurobiology
Here is a short clip of what can go wrong in relationships as seen through Gottman’s Four Horsemen Of The Apocalypse:
No sure about going all into Couples Therapy?
Consider this:
”Couples Mini Intensive”
Whether you are in a pre-marital status, newly married, in a long-term relationship/marriage, or are not sure if you and your partner should stay together, this “full immersion” approach is an effective way to identify and explore core issues, your challenges & strengths as a couple, and to begin addressing the triggers and patterns that have brought you to seek support and help.
You will receive six hours of face-to-face time with your therapist, which will help you begin to address the issues that have brought you into therapy.
Total Fee: $1000
6 hours of counseling that includes: Initial Assessment, Introduction to Therapeutic Interventions, and any handouts, and materials
This program will take place over a 4-6-week period.
Here is how it works:
Session #1
Two Hours “The Story of Us”; this session is conducted with the couple and therapist: you will explore your relationship history, review goals, manage expectations and boundaries, discuss challenges, assess your individual and relational communication and attachment styles, and identify barriers to intimacy, safety, and trust.
Sessions #2 and #3
Two Separate Hours (one hour each with therapist) “A deeper dive into the individual”: this session is designed for you to spend some one-on-one time with your therapist. You will have an opportunity to process and discuss more personal issues and goals that you’d like to pursue in your couples’ work, and address anything else that may have not come up in Session 1. (This appointment is scheduled on different days and times).
Session #4
Two Hours “Putting it all together”: your therapist will review his assessment of his time with you as a couple and individually. He will present a summary and outline of your strengths and challenges, and how your relationship can improve going forward. Your therapist will engage you in dialogue and coaching through interventions and exercises that focus on effective communication, perspective-seeking, and self-awareness. From here, you and your partner can discuss with your therapist, and determine whether proceeding with regular couples counseling and coaching is the right path for you.