Couples THERAPY
Couples therapy helps to develop balance, wellness, and enhanced love in the relationship.
When a couple struggles with thoughts/beliefs that reflect each person's positive experience in relationship with their partner, this can affect love and happiness.
Statements of positive experience are developed in therapy:
"My partner feels I am loveable."
"My partner accepts my feelings."
"My partner will not leave me and does
does not threaten divorce."
"We can play together."
Couples therapy explores how to enhance the following resources in the relationship:
Memories and images of satisfying experiences together: emotional, intellectual, spiritual, physical (sexual and non-sexual).
Discover meaning of possibilities for growth together, mutual dreams, desires, goals, and enhanced relationship patterns of connection.
Explore healthy interdependence with ability to count of each other, turn to each other in times of stress and joy, and trust each other's capacity to "to be there".
Explore boundaries when the differences and boundaries are respected.
Explore ways to share a variety of emotions - love, joy, laughter, peace, playfulness, compassion, trust, creativity; as well as fears, grief, anger, and disappointment.
Develop recognition for each other.
"Now is the time for one of you to be gracious,
To allow a kindness beyond thought and hurt,
Reach out with sure hands
To take the chalice of your love,
And carry it carefully through this echoless waste
Until the winter pilgrimage leads you
Toward the gateway to spring. "
John O'Donnell