Couples Counseling Therapists in 49515
Erin W. Fisk
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LMSW
Verified Verified
Grand Rapids, MI 49515 (Online Only)
Feeling overwhelmed? Choosing a therapist can feel like its own stressful task. By working together, we'll help you feel better after the first session. Life's challenges are complex--with a back story of pain and joy that brings us to the current moment. We can keep our focus on working through what you're facing now and/or talk through what's brought you here. I'm eager to partner with individuals who are ready to feel better, sooner.
Feeling overwhelmed? Choosing a therapist can feel like its own stressful task. By working together, we'll help you feel better after the first session. Life's challenges are complex--with a back story of pain and joy that brings us to the current moment. We can keep our focus on working through what you're facing now and/or talk through what's brought you here. I'm eager to partner with individuals who are ready to feel better, sooner.
Oxendale and Associates, LLC
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, ADS, MSW, LMSW
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Grand Rapids, MI 49515 (Online Only)
Not accepting new clients
Providing a space of safety and acceptance to explore life issues, we work together to begin the process of change. Beginning with a solution-focused approach, we begin with your strengths. A key to this is learning to effectively use tools (coping skills) along with being able to see and understand situations differently. We work together to improve the health of your relationships, the most important one being with yourself, and then other relationships in your life. Problems with alcohol or other drugs can be addressed if that's something you want to work on.
Providing a space of safety and acceptance to explore life issues, we work together to begin the process of change. Beginning with a solution-focused approach, we begin with your strengths. A key to this is learning to effectively use tools (coping skills) along with being able to see and understand situations differently. We work together to improve the health of your relationships, the most important one being with yourself, and then other relationships in your life. Problems with alcohol or other drugs can be addressed if that's something you want to work on.
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.