Could your relationship use some support?

Being a human trying to relate to another human can be so hard. Most of us haven’t seen the kinds of relationships we desire modeled for us. That can leave us feeling lost, confused and like we’ll never figure out the “trick” to having satisfying relationships.

Even if we’ve been fortunate enough to witness loving relationships, that doesn’t mean we know how to replicate them. Add to that the overwhelm that can come from having trauma, neurodivergence and marginalization in the mix, and we’ve got a recipe for disconnection and isolation. Engaging in loving relationships requires effort, skill and, for many people, support. That’s where I come in to the conversation.

I specialize in helping couples (and folks in all kinds of relationships) interrupt the patterns that keep them stuck and guide them to more loving ways of relating.

Whether you’re seeking guidance for how to repair after a rupture, looking for tools to improve communication or wondering how to stop having the same fight over and over, my role is help you identify what needs to be changed and provide you with the tools and resources to make that change.

I can’t do it for you and won’t promise it will be easy. But I can promise that I won’t ask you to do it alone. Because every relationship needs support.

Types of Relationships I Support
Romantic relationships aren’t the only relationships that nurture our wellbeing and certainly aren’t the only relationships that need support. Many of the tools, resources and frameworks I offer are relevant for relationships between friends, coworkers, siblings and other types of mutual relationships between adults.

These frameworks can be a less good fit in relationships where there’s an inherent power differential, like between a parent and a child or a supervisor and an employee. Those relationships might be better served by a family therapist or a mediator, which I am not.

I have extensive experience supporting LGBTQ+ clients, those who have experienced sexual violence, and folks who participate in 12-step recovery fellowships.

What To Expect
The foundation of my approach to supporting healing and growth in relationships is the Developmental Model, an approach developed by Drs. Ellyn Bader and Peter Peterson, founders of The Couples Institute. This model offers both structure and flexibility in sessions, as well as a clear path for interrupting patterns that aren’t working and to making the changes that will improve your relationship. You’ll learn ways to think differently about the problems in your relationship and skills to build trust and connection - without losing your connection with yourself.

The relationship support I offer is active, direct and educational. I’m not here as a referee for the same fight you’ve already had a hundred times or as just a listening ear without any actionable feedback to give.

Our process together begins with a 90-minute joint session followed by individual 60 or 75-minute sessions with each partner to ensure a thorough understanding of the relationship dynamics and necessary changes. Then we’ll agree to a plan for moving forward based on my recommendations. In addition to the time we spend together in session, I’ll offer resources and homework designed to meet you where. you are in the process of change in your relationship. (Before these sessions, I’ll gather some information about each partner, their history and the relationship so that I can be prepared to develop a plan for moving forward. The most straightforward way to gather that info is through an online form, but I know that doesn’t work for everyone’s brain. If you need to adapt the process in a way that works for you, I’m open to discussing that.)

All sessions are held virtually through a HIPAA-compliant video-conferencing platform. Relationships support sessions are $165/hour and longer sessions are based on that rate. Since I don’t give anyone a diagnosis in relationship support sessions, they are not eligible for insurance reimbursement. However, you may be able to use HSA funds to pay my fee.

Ready to get the support your relationship needs?

The best way to know if I’m a good fit to support your relationship is to schedule a free consultation. We’ll talk generally about your goals and expectations for our work together, and I’ll give you a sense of what I can and can’t offer. If we’re not a good fit, I can provide you with some referrals to other folks who might be a better fit.