Photo of Rachel Heinhuis, Counselor in 46260, IN
Rachel Heinhuis
Counselor, LMHC
Verified Verified
Indianapolis, IN 46260
My goal for each therapeutic relationship is to encourage authenticity and support individual strengths and goals in a safe, empathic, and non-judgmental environment to help create awareness, acknowledgement, acceptance, and clarification.
“Together we will cry and face fear and grief. I will want to take away your pain, but instead I will sit with you and teach you how to feel it.”- Brené Brown We are often met with experiences in life that shape us and create patterns of responding to our environments in both healthy and unhealthy ways. We may feel alone in moments of darkness, confusion or in the presence of the unknown; you are not alone! We will work to trust the process of sitting with the uncomfortable, embracing uniqueness and vulnerabilities and identifying thoughts and feelings that prevent us from seeing our best selves.
My goal for each therapeutic relationship is to encourage authenticity and support individual strengths and goals in a safe, empathic, and non-judgmental environment to help create awareness, acknowledgement, acceptance, and clarification.
“Together we will cry and face fear and grief. I will want to take away your pain, but instead I will sit with you and teach you how to feel it.”- Brené Brown We are often met with experiences in life that shape us and create patterns of responding to our environments in both healthy and unhealthy ways. We may feel alone in moments of darkness, confusion or in the presence of the unknown; you are not alone! We will work to trust the process of sitting with the uncomfortable, embracing uniqueness and vulnerabilities and identifying thoughts and feelings that prevent us from seeing our best selves.
(317) 666-6702 View (317) 666-6702
Photo of Ronald Martin Westrate, Psychologist in 46260, IN
Ronald Martin Westrate
Psychologist, PhD, HSPP
Verified Verified
Indianapolis, IN 46260
I have helped many people from ages 12 to 80+ 'weather a personal crisis' regardless of circumstances; in addition, I have acquired special,training in working with returning military personnel in coping with their re-entry issues as well as helping them take 'next steps'. I am also an expert in career 'direction' as well as 'redirection', and regardless of age, I seek those people as clients who desire to become or retain an 'open mind'! I encourage 'self-esteem' as a precious commodity and promote one's own goals and personal values as their keys to happiness.
I have helped many people from ages 12 to 80+ 'weather a personal crisis' regardless of circumstances; in addition, I have acquired special,training in working with returning military personnel in coping with their re-entry issues as well as helping them take 'next steps'. I am also an expert in career 'direction' as well as 'redirection', and regardless of age, I seek those people as clients who desire to become or retain an 'open mind'! I encourage 'self-esteem' as a precious commodity and promote one's own goals and personal values as their keys to happiness.
(317) 854-4907 View (317) 854-4907
Couples Counseling Therapists

Does couples counseling work?

Research shows that couples counseling is effective; it can reduce relationship distress and improve emotional awareness, communication, empathy, intimacy, and overall relationship satisfaction. For example, emotionally focused therapy was found to be effective for about 75 percent of couples, and those benefits lasted at least two years.

When should a couple seek counseling?

Couples can benefit from counseling if they consistently struggle in their relationship. They may have lost the ability to communicate effectively, become entrenched in harmful patterns, begun to fight more than usual, broken the other’s trust, suffered from a mental or physical illness, or faced any number of other challenges. Many therapists offer free consultations, so if a couple isn’t sure whether therapy is necessary, asking directly can provide clarity.

How can I get my partner to go to couples therapy?

The decision to seek couples therapy is often driven by one partner, who then convinces the other to participate. When discussing the idea, the initiator should be direct and assertive. They can state the problems they see and explain how the relationship would benefit from therapy. In more serious cases, they can also explain how their relationship may suffer without making any changes or seeking professional help.

How does a couple prepare for couples counseling?

The anticipation of beginning couples counseling can be difficult—sometimes more difficult than the first session itself. Taking a few moments to reflect can allay those concerns: What are the current challenges? When and how did they begin? What do they want the relationship to look like in the future? Reflecting on these questions can help individuals or couples articulate their goals. Of course, the therapist will also ask questions and guide couples through the process.