Couples Counseling in New York, NY

Park Ave Mental Health Counseling works with couples to reignite, redefine and empower couples to heal and grow together.
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Love is not merely a passive emotion or feeling that happens to us, but rather an active and intentional choice that we make.

Couple sustaining a loving and healthy partnership due to marriage counseling services.

Love is not just an emotion. Committing to love is a decision and requires ongoing effort, self-reflection, and flexibility to maintain and grow.

 

Sustaining a loving and healthy partnership goes beyond initial attraction or infatuation. It involves consciously choosing to love and support your partner, even during challenging times. Love requires dedication, communication, understanding, empathy, and a willingness to work through difficulties together. And when those challenging times arrive, you might feel alone, ready to give up, angry, or confused. Couples counseling can help you get through these difficult times and reignite your relationship, so that you and your partner both feel loved, supported, and committed to each other.

 

Ready to reignite your relationship? 

 

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Our approach for couples therapy? The Gottman Method & Relational Life Therapy.

The Gottman Method is based on psychologists John and Julie Gottman’s decades of research and observation of couples, aiming to help couples build strong, healthy, and long-lasting relationships. The Gottman Method focuses on improving communication, resolving conflicts, and fostering emotional intimacy between partners.

The main premise of Relational Life Therapy (RLT) is that unresolved emotional issues and patterns from one’s past can significantly impact their current relationships, particularly romantic ones. The therapy aims to help individuals and couples identify and address these underlying issues to create healthier, more fulfilling relationships. RLT places a strong emphasis on effective communication, emotional intimacy, and personal growth within the context of the partnership.

 

Key principles of the Gottman Method include:

The Sound Relationship House

The therapy is structured around the metaphor of a “Sound Relationship House,” which consists of several levels that represent different aspects of a healthy relationship, such as building love maps, sharing fondness and admiration, turning towards each other, managing conflicts, creating shared meaning, and more.

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

These are negative communication patterns that the Gottman’s identified as predictors of relationship breakdown. They include criticism, defensiveness, contempt, and stonewalling.

The Gottman Method focuses on helping couples replace these destructive communication patterns with healthier ones so that conflicts are more easily resolved, and each partner feels they have been heard and their needs are being met, without feeling defensive or distant.

Emotional Bids

The Gottman Method emphasizes the importance of recognizing and responding positively to what they call “emotional bids.” Emotional bids are attempts to connect with your partner, and how you respond to them can significantly impact the relationship’s quality.
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Key principles of Relational Life Therapy include:

Communication Skills

Similar to the Gottman Method’s Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse techniques, RLT focuses on teaching individuals and couples effective communication techniques to express their needs, desires, and emotions in a clear and respectful manner.

Identifying Patterns

Building on the Gottman Method, RLT helps clients identify negative patterns of behavior and communication that may be contributing to relationship problems. This involves exploring the roles each person plays and how their past experiences shape their actions, reactions, and interactions.

Emotional Intimacy

RLT encourages emotional vulnerability and intimacy, helping individuals and couples connect on a deeper level by exploring their feelings and experiences, and sharing them with their partner in a safe and supportive setting.

Personal growth

RLT aims to foster personal growth and self-awareness, encouraging individuals to work on their own emotional well-being and address any unresolved issues that may be affecting their relationships.

Conflict resolution

The therapy helps clients develop effective strategies for resolving conflicts and disagreements in a healthy and productive manner.

Rebuilding Trust

For couples dealing with issues of trust or betrayal, RLT may focus on rebuilding trust through open communication, empathy, and understanding.
Couples therapy helping clients developing effective strategies for resolving trauma.

TRAUMA

Building trust through open communication, empathy and understand in couples.

PRE-MARITAL/MARITAL

Therapy that helps foster personal growth and self-awareness for emotional well-being.

PERSONAL ISSUES

Questions to ask your partner before starting Couples Therapy:

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Are we both committed to making this work?

Couples therapy requires effort, time, and a willingness to work on the relationship together. It’s crucial for both partners to be fully committed to the process and to improving the relationship. This question helps assess each person’s readiness to actively participate in therapy and make necessary changes.

 

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What are our goals for couples counseling?

The goals are up to you. In therapy, you will discuss and clarify the specific goals you want to achieve through couples counseling. Whether it’s improving communication, resolving conflicts, strengthening emotional intimacy, or addressing specific issues, having clear objectives will help guide the therapy process and ensure both partners are on the same page.
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Can we approach therapy with an open mind and be vulnerable?

Therapy often involves delving into deep emotions and addressing sensitive topics. It’s essential for both partners to be willing to be vulnerable, open up about their feelings, and listen to each other without defensiveness. Being receptive to feedback and trying new approaches is crucial for positive outcomes.

 

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Are there any concerns or reservations we need to address before starting?

This question allows partners to express any apprehensions they may have about couples counseling. It could be related to the therapist’s approach, fears of being judged, or concerns about the process. Openly discussing these concerns helps ensure a more productive and comfortable therapy experience.
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Couple sustaining a loving and healthy partnership due to marriage counseling services.
Navigating relationships in the fast-paced environment of New York City presents unique challenges. Between demanding careers, financial pressures, and the constant energy of urban life, maintaining a strong partnership requires intentional effort. Our Couples Therapy in New York, NY, provides a confidential, judgment-free space where you and your partner can address concerns, rebuild connection, and develop tools for lasting relationship success.

Whether you are facing communication breakdowns, trust issues, intimacy challenges, or simply feeling disconnected, Couples Counseling offers evidence-based strategies tailored to your relationship’s specific needs. Our experienced therapist, Lauren Williams, understands the distinct pressures Manhattan couples face and creates customized treatment plans that fit your schedules and goals.

 

When Should You Consider Couples Therapy New York, NY?

Many couples wait too long before seeking professional support. Couples Counseling is beneficial not only during crisis moments but also as a proactive step toward strengthening your bond. Consider Couples Counseling if you are experiencing frequent arguments, difficulty resolving conflicts, decreased physical or emotional intimacy, life transitions like parenthood or career changes, or if you simply want to deepen your connection.

 

Specialized Support for Trauma and PTSD in Relationships

When one or both partners are dealing with Trauma Therapy or PTSD Therapy needs, it can significantly impact relationship dynamics. Trauma responses like emotional withdrawal, hypervigilance, or difficulty with trust can create distance between partners who deeply care for each other. Our therapist, Lauren, is certified in trauma-informed care and helps couples navigate these challenges with compassion and expertise.

Through integrated Couples Therapy and Trauma Therapy and PTSD Therapy approaches, Lauren addresses how past trauma influences current relationship patterns.  She creates safety for both partners to heal individually while strengthening their bond as a couple. This specialized work helps partners understand trauma responses/triggers, develop supportive communication strategies, and rebuild emotional and physical intimacy at a pace that feels comfortable for both individuals.

Schedule your consultation now and discover how Couples Counseling in New York, NY, can transform your relationship. Lauren offers flexible scheduling, including evening appointments, to accommodate your busy Manhattan lifestyle

 

Key principles of the Gottman Method include:

The Sound Relationship House

The therapy is structured around the metaphor of a “Sound Relationship House,” which consists of several levels that represent different aspects of a healthy relationship, such as building love maps, sharing fondness and admiration, turning towards each other, managing conflicts, creating shared meaning, and more.

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

These are negative communication patterns that the Gottman’s identified as predictors of relationship breakdown. They include criticism, defensiveness, contempt, and stonewalling.

The Gottman Method focuses on helping couples replace these destructive communication patterns with healthier ones so that conflicts are more easily resolved, and each partner feels they have been heard and their needs are being met, without feeling defensive or distant.

Emotional Bids

The Gottman Method emphasizes the importance of recognizing and responding positively to what they call “emotional bids.” Emotional bids are attempts to connect with your partner, and how you respond to them can significantly impact the relationship’s quality.
Get Started

Frequently Asked Questions

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How long does Couples Therapy typically last?

The duration of Couples Therapy in New York, NY, varies based on your specific concerns and goals. Some couples find resolution in 8-12 sessions, while others benefit from longer-term support. Lauren works collaboratively with you to assess progress and adjust the treatment timeline as needed.

 

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What if my partner is reluctant to attend therapy?

It is common for one partner to be more hesitant initially. Individual sessions can help address concerns and clarify the therapy process. Often, reluctant partners become engaged once they experience the supportive, non-judgmental environment Lauren creates.

Client Reviews of Park Avenue Mental Health Counseling

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Immediately Lauren was able to see me for who I was and respect and support me for that. She has been my biggest cheerleader and sounding board ever since. I am so grateful for her role in my life.
My therapist, Lauren, really helped me break through my constant questions of why and guided me towards the self reflection and solutions I needed.
Since I began therapy with Lauren Williams, I cannot even begin to explain how much it has improved my quality of life. She actually listens and hears her patients, something that is exceedingly rare nowadays…

Park Avenue Mental Health Counseling

Online Mental Health Counseling by New Yorkers, for New Yorkers.

(646) 553-3281