Couples Counseling Therapists in 56944
Bonnie S. Eisenberg
Psychologist, PhD
Verified Verified
Washington, DC 56944
I am a clinical psychologist with 40 years of experience in private practice. I work with adults in individual psychotherapy and couple therapy. I believe that good relationships are essential for a good life, and I enjoy helping others develop better relationships. I have studied and trained with a variety of psychotherapy approaches and techniques. I weave these into a psychodynamically oriented approach which takes into account current and past relationships as well as gaining perspective and understanding of oneself and others. I have been able to help people suffering from problems with mood, anxiety, emotions, relationships, and issues with work and family.
I am a clinical psychologist with 40 years of experience in private practice. I work with adults in individual psychotherapy and couple therapy. I believe that good relationships are essential for a good life, and I enjoy helping others develop better relationships. I have studied and trained with a variety of psychotherapy approaches and techniques. I weave these into a psychodynamically oriented approach which takes into account current and past relationships as well as gaining perspective and understanding of oneself and others. I have been able to help people suffering from problems with mood, anxiety, emotions, relationships, and issues with work and family.
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.