Whereas individual therapy focuses on individuals, couples therapy places the focus on the relationship between two people.  While we understand that there are two people that make up the relationship who each have their own thoughts, feelings, and experiences, the focus in therapy shifts from those individual needs to the health of the relationship.  As such, some therapists might recommend individual therapy alongside the couples counseling to help address individual needs that are not helpful to the relationship.

Once called marriage therapy, current culture recognizes that two people involved in a romantic relationship do not have to be married in order to receive help.  While every couple might not be a good fit for a particular therapist, one or more of the the therapists at THP that see couples the following status of relationships:

Dating couples

Married Couples

Engaged or pre-marital couples

Long-term unmarried and same-sex partners

We believe that you are the expert on your life, and it is not up to the therapist to determine the status of your relationship.  Sometimes, one or both of the individuals may come to the conclusion that it is healthiest for goals to change.  The therapists at The Hope Place will work with you to determine your best hopes for the relationship, while concurrently supporting the changing dynamics of your relationship if your goals change.

Communication Issues: Communication can break down for many reasons. Constant arguing, defensiveness, or emotional disconnection generally do not help the relationship, and more effective ways to engage and be present might be needed.

Major life transitions:  Life can be hard!  Existing  systems that are familiar and useful in one stage of life do not always show the same effectiveness through transitions to new stages. 

Trust Issues. Trust can feel hard, either from unrelated  past emotional trauma, or from betrayal in the current relationship.

Yes! Jessica Barber has received training in the Gottman Method, and combines principles from this training with solution focused techniques for her work with couples