Couples Therapy
I work exclusively with couples — just about every kind of couple you can think of — working on just about every kind of problem.
My counseling style has been described as warm and supportive, yet direct and to the point, focused on strengths and solutions rather than on problems. I’m adaptive and flexible, modifying my style and approach in response to the needs of my clients. Clients report that I’m easy to talk to and someone they can trust with their most intimate issues. I truly care and love helping couples solve problems and develop more satisfying relationships.
Many couples work with me to:
- Learn tested skills to more effectively and skillfully communicate, resolve conflict, handle disagreements, make repairs where there are hurt feelings or unfulfilled needs or expectations, promote harmony, joy, fun and intimacy.
- Deal directly with a current crisis (i.e. infidelity, illness, sudden life change)
- Transform anger, hurt and resentment about current or past issues. – Discover how stress pollutes your relationship and what you can do about it.
- Recognize patterns of interaction that lead to a dead-end and replace these with patterns that lead to greater intimacy and love.
- Awaken romance, sensuality and passion.
Method and Counseling Style
As your relationship “coach” , I’ll help you rekindle the best of what brought you together and learn how to achieve a more satisfying, healthy relationship.
I work within the frame of Gottman Method Couples Therapy, a structured, goal-oriented, scientifically-based therapy. Intervention strategies are based upon empirical data from Dr. John Gottman’s three decades of research with more than 3,000 couples. I have advanced training and experience working with couples on sexual issues. Other methods that inform my work are Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, Mindfulness Practices and 12 Step Work. In addition, I may refer to the Enneagram and the Myers Briggs Type Indicator to support understanding of personality and style differences between partners.
Our Work – My Skills and Your Commitment
Our work is a journey of discovery, of learning and growing. I will guide you to become more skillful at loving and trusting one another and, hopefully, more able to reach the deepest, most tender aspects of intimacy.
I’ve got the skills and know-how to help you. However, you need to be fully committed to the process. This means you need to show up for your appointments, spend quality time with your partner on a regular basis, and do the homework I will assign.
Instead of sessions that end abruptly when “your time is up,” hopefully sessions end gently, with a sense of completion. For this reason, I ask that you set aside at least one and a half hours of time and, if possible, even more so that you have time to reflect on what you’ve learned.
I encourage you to remain steadfast in your commitment. Couples that persevere learn and grow. Gridlock can transform into wonderful possibilities.
Video Counseling and Coaching
Clocktree is the telehealth solution for couples living in Washington State who want the convenience of having HIPAA secure video counseling sessions while at home or elsewhere.
Contact Carol Ruth below for more information.