Most spouses come into couples counseling years after they need it. They put it off for so long thinking that they will be able to handle their relationship problems on their own. Some hope that things will get better while others might even believe that things cannot get better. Whatever the reason, they continue in…

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Counseling can help you deal with uncomfortable emotions in a healthy way. Most of us try to avoid uncomfortable emotions. Who likes to feel sad, depressed, lonely, hurt, scared or betrayed? Don’t you try to NOT feel this way? You might even engaged in unhealthy behaviors to avoid your emotions. Most people do. I encountered…

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Relationship problems are inevitable in marriage. That term can be very broad, so let’s break that down a little more specifically. Because, when I ask couples what I can help them with, the most common response is “communication problems.” This is what they would call their biggest relationship problem. In my mind, this term has…

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Do you or someone you love have a pornography problem? It’s more common than you think. Pornography use is on the rise and the age of first exposure is starting earlier and earlier. Research (Davis, Perry in 2017) has also found that breakups in romantic relationships are twice as more likely to happen 6 years…

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Here is one myth that a marriage counselor will help you dispel: Marriage needs to be a 50/50 split. Everything done and contributed needs to be equal. This simply is false. What marriage needs is 100% from each partner. In some instances, that means that one spouse will do more than the other because of…

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Trauma counseling isn’t easy, but can be worth it. For trauma survivors, some therapists utilize the systemic approaches of internal family systems (IFS) and emotion-focused therapy (EFT). These approaches focus on strengthening attachment that exists both outside and inside of the self. Others also use play therapy when treating children and young adolescents who have…

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EMDR therapy

About EMDR: Negative Beliefs EMDR is a trauma therapy approach developed by Francine Shapiro in the 1980s. EMDR addresses trauma, both in the form of single incidents and persistent negative experiences. For a more in-depth look at how trauma develops, see part 1 of this 3 part series. As I discuss in the first part,…

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