Improving Your Relationship
“Communication is to relationships what breath is to life.”
Virginia Satir
It is quite common for committed couples to seek counseling for recurring communication problems at some point in their relationship. Communication problems can often lead to a breakdown in the bond of your relationship if the issues are not adequately addressed.
Through a meaningful therapy process with a highly skilled and experienced clinician, it is possible to transform the style in which you go about addressing conflict in your relationship.
With some practice, self-reflection, and the guidance of a compassionate therapist, the way you relate to your partner can become significantly more constructive and enjoyable. We can help you to feel truly seen and heard in your relationship. We do it every day in our work with couples.
It’s One of the Most Common Reasons Couples Come In…
Considering that most couples tend to wait several years before reaching out to address conflict or difficulties in their dynamic, it’s a good idea to address these common problems as soon as they show up.
Whether you’ve reached an impasse regarding the management of your finances, an aspect of your physical intimacy, career changes, gender roles, the in-laws, or you’re struggling to maintain a sense of independence while also preserving your togetherness—unaddressed conflict will create cracks in the foundation of your relationship and undermine the quality of your connection.
Therapy for communication issues can help you to:
- Improve your ability to handle distressing topics in your relationship
- Enhance your overall emotional responsiveness towards each other
- Feel seen and heard in your relationship
- Address the underlying dynamics at play that are preventing you from feeling truly heard and understood by your partner
- Transform your current cycle of interaction from an Emotionally Focused Therapy perspective
- Become more present and attuned to each other’s wants and needs
- Explore and address many other important areas of concern, i.e. improving your physical intimacy, specific conflict, parenting, etc.
“Jennifer is a wonderful Marriage and Family Therapist. She does exceptional work with couples in helping them communicate effectively and rebuild their relationship. I highly recommend her!” – Liz M., LCSW
Stress and Its Role in Conflict…
Stress and how you manage it can play a significant role in how you experience and handle relationship issues. Heightened stress that contributes to feeling intense pressure can impede your ability to handle relationship conflict more gracefully. Stress can significantly impact us physically, emotionally, and relationally.
Here are a few possible symptoms of stress:
- Back, neck, chest, shoulder pain
- Difficulty concentrating
- Unhappy with job/ co-worker
- Loss of contact with close friends
- Conflicts at work
- Fatigue
- Sleep disturbances
- Increased blood pressure
- Migraine or tension headaches
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling sad, teary, or moody
- Alcohol or substance abuse
- Trouble thinking clearly
- Muscle tension
- Stomach upset, heartburn
While it’s impossible for you to live your life completely stress free, it is possible to learn how to manage day-to-day stressors more effectively and have more helpful/ supportive conversations with your partner.