Extended Couples Therapy

Extended couples therapy provides you with the option of working with a therapist for 75 minutes, instead of the typical 50 minute session.

Extended therapy can be helpful if you wish to spend more time each week on your specific issue, which can cut down the amount of time you spend in therapy.

Additionally, it facilitates a space where you and your partner can meet more complex needs that need to be addressed sooner.

How we Work with Couples

During couples therapy, you will learn how both you and your partner play a role in the problems within your relationship. 

With the guidance of our therapists, you will learn to communicate openly in a safe environment and begin to uncover the root of the problems you’re experiencing. 

We will help you identify the pain points of your relationship and teach how to change the dynamics. 

We’ll also explore how past experiences contribute to differing expectations about behavior, communication, and conflict resolution. 

As you become more aware of the assumptions you carry into the relationship, you can begin to create a new set of expectations that both of you understand and support. 

Our goal is for you to leave our sessions feeling empowered and able to freely express your love again — and to regain a deeper, more satisfying relationship.

Once each of you takes responsibility for your own behaviors, you will begin to heal the trust within your relationship and restore a deep sense of intimacy and love. 

Our Couples Therapy Methods 

We use Gottman Method Couples Therapy to support you and your partner.Gottman Method Couples Therapy is an evidence-based, integrative approach to therapy that provides interventions and exercises to couples looking to strengthen connection, awareness, understanding, and empathy within partnership. 

Based on more than 40 years of continuous couples therapy research and clinical practice, Gottman Method Couples Therapy supports couples in identifying patterns of defenses that interfere with effective communication and emotional connectedness in order to deepen intimacy and foster growth in the relationship.

According to the Gottman Institute’s research, the foundational principles of creating a healthy relationship are showcased, supported, and strengthened through the Gottman Method Couples Therapy with the guidance of a Gottman-trained therapist in session:

Building Love Maps

This is a technique to figure out how deeply you know and understand your partner. Through love maps, you can find out how in touch you are with your partner’s background and history, as well as their worries, stressors, and things that bring them joy.

Sharing Fondness and Admiration

This practice explores the ways in which partners can express respect and appreciation for one another in order to build genuine closeness and reduce contempt. 

Turning Towards Instead of Away

A vital part of communication is telling your partner what you need and allowing them into your life instead of blocking them out.

The Positive Perspective

When trying to solve problems, having a positive approach invites growth and openness to various solutions. 

Managing Conflict

This practice re-centers conflict as natural and an opportunity for growth in relationships, rather than an indication of demise. Managing conflict (as opposed to resolving conflict) allows for the discussion to be functional, growth-centered, and potentially positive. Within this framework, couples explore the differences between perpetual problems and solvable problems, and the most effective ways to approach each. 

Making Life Dreams Come True

How to support each other in a relational environment that encourages each person to share openly about hopes, dreams, and values.

Creating Shared Meaning

Within this framework, couples gain a deeper understanding of goals, roadblocks, and underlying stories that are at the center of the relationship. 

Trust

This is extremely important. Trust is when you know you can rely on your partner to center your well being in their behavior and thinking. 

Commitment

This is also vital; staying committed to your partner is important to ensure a long-lasting and fulfilling relationship.