MLK COUNSELING

In my work with couples, I have been surprised by just how many relationships can be saved.  I am always awed by the power of two people to take what seems like a lost situation and rebuild it into a thriving, passionate relationship. To be able to travel on the journey with these couples, has filled me with gratitude and hope for the future of long term relationships.

But the journey is never easy. Difficult relationships don't turn around overnight.  To help me guide you, I rely on the work of some of the major thinkers in couples therapy - John and Julie Gottman's extensive research on what makes marriages succeed, Susan Johnson's work on healing emotional wounds in the relationship, Ellyn Bader and Peter Pearson's work on teaching conflicted couples new ways to communicate and resolve issues, and Michelle Davis-Weiner's work on bringing physical and emotional intimacy back into the relationship.

I never know where the starting place of your journey will be, but one of the early steps I will help you to take is to develop a vision of the relationship you want to create. I'll help you look at underlying patterns that may be creating difficulties in your relationship and together we'll figure out what needs to happen to change those patterns. Making those changes is always the most challenging part of the process.

I know it's a big step to reach out and ask for help. I know it means -- you're hurting. I will do my best to offer you a supportive, caring environment where you can get the help you need.

In addition to seeing couples, I also meet with individuals who wish to work on relationship concerns, life transitions, family of origin issues, grief, anxiety, depression and a wide range of other personal challenges.

I am especially interested in the personality typing system characterized by the Enneagram and its implications for personal awareness and development. I often use it in couples therapy to help both you and your partner to understand some of the reasons you each think and act the way you do. Not only do you get to know yourself better, but you also deepen your understanding of your partner.