(908) 276-3888

Couple Therapy

When a couple calls us, we like to begin with a consultation where one of us meets with the couple, spending some time with both of you together and some time with each of you alone. Toward the end of the initial consultation, we will tell you both how we see the problem and whether we believe couple therapy would be helpful. Sometimes there are individual problems which need to be addressed in addition to the couple problems. Typical couple therapy includes help with:

Improving Communication: We will teach both of you how to express what is on your mind, including your negative feelings, without being offensive to your partner. We will also teach both of you how to listen effectively, enabling you and your partner to understand each other's feelings, and showing each of you how to help your partner express what's on his or her mind.

Learning to Resolve Differences: In every relationship there are situations where you and your partner have different wants, needs, and preferences. We will show you how to resolve these differences in ways you both can be comfortable with.

Temper and Anger Control: Temper and anger control are often important issues in intimate relationships. We can teach you effective techniques for reducing the intensity of your anger, and help you find constructive rather than destructive ways to express that anger.

Criticism: In intimate relationships, what one partner believes is a helpful suggestion is often experienced by the other partner as harsh and/or constant criticism. We can help each of you become more aware of how your partner experiences your comments, and show you how to express yourself in a helpful rather than a critical manner.

Trying to Control: In many relationships, one partner feels controlled by the other. This problem may last for many years before the partner who feels controlled brings up the problem. Often the controlling partner is not aware that he or she is being controlling. But it takes two for control to occur. We can help one partner to stop controlling, and we can help the other partner to stop being controlled.

Misinterpretations: Sometimes your partner believes you are being critical or controlling when you aren’t. Your partner may misinterpret a neutral comment as a criticism, or misinterpret a suggestion as a demand. We will help both of you learn to make correct interpretations of each other’s comments.

Infidelity: If the infidelity is in the past or present, we will work with the two of you on ending the infidelity, regaining trust, and solving the problems which led to the infidelity. If you suspect that your partner is currently being unfaithful, we may recommend that you begin with some individual sessions to obtain guidance in how to deal with the situation.

For more information or to make an appointment, you can call us at (908) 276-3888.

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