Gottman Referral Network

About

I know it can take courage to acknowledge it might be time to get some outside help for your relationship. I'm so glad you have decided to do it!

The study of neurobiology shows that we are “wired to connect” with other people. As newborns we come ready to interact with our caregivers and in order to develop fully both physically and emotionally, we depend on connection. The irony is it doesn’t come easily or intuitively to all of us to interact with others in a healthy way. The way we communicate can actually sabotage our getting listened to and getting our needs met.

This is where therapy can be helpful and effective. We will use something called the Gottman Couples Method of therapy often in our work. It addresses the skills necessary to improve many aspects of your relationship focusing on three major areas including: 1)creating and maintaining a closeness and a friendship in relationship, 2) managing conflict and communicating effectively 3) creating a shared meaning as you learn each other's hopes and dreams for yourselves and your relationship. We will also consider what experiences from your past come up in your relationship and ways to manage them with your partner.

We will practice the skills you are learning in session so that you can take them out of session to use at home. As you learn these skills, it will require practice and the ability to look at yourself and changes you can make. Since we cannot control or change our partner, looking at how you can make things different is where your power lies. If each of you is willing to do this, couples counseling can be very effective.

I am a licensed professional counselor in Texas and am located in Austin. I graduated with my Masters of Arts in Counseling from Northwestern University. I am also EMDR trained.

I am currently seeing clients in person and online. Please contact me if you feel we might be a good fit.

Special populations

LGBTQ, Multicultural