Couples therapy can be a game changer.
Do you and your partner seem to be constantly in conflict? Are you struggling with intimacy, respect, or closeness? Has “the spark” seemed to fade, leaving you worried about your future together?
Let me help.
My name is Laureen DiMattia, founder of Seasons of Strength. I specialize in helping couples work through crises (e.g., divorce, betrayal or cheating, major life decisions) and other relational issues.
Whether your relationship is in peril or you are simply looking to give your bond a boost, I can help. I offer therapy for couples (also called couple counseling or couple therapy) for romantic partners from all over Washington DC and I’d love to work with the two of you.
If you are interested and ready to sign up, contact me today. To learn more about relationship problems and how therapy can help, read on!
Do we really need couples therapy?
Every relationship has problems.
All of us are unique. We have our own sets of values, needs, and ways of communicating – and so do our partners. Sometimes these differences mesh well, and sometimes they create friction, hurtful misunderstandings, and conflict.
Some couples are able to work through those differences on their own. Some will try to ignore their problems or avoid conflict while quietly building resentment towards one another. And some will fight, butt heads, and cause damage to one another.
A few other signals of relationship issues include:
- Feeling misunderstood by one another
- Frequent conflict, fighting or arguing
- Difficulty making decisions together
- Family stress (e.g., parental interference, childrearing, etc.)
- Abuse and controlling behavior*
- Issues with sex and intimacy
*When abuse or control has entered into the partnership, some members will feel unable to express themselves or have their needs met. My priority is your safety, and so if you are in an unsafe or abusive relationship, contact the domestic violence hotline or follow this link.
Being in a relationship often means learning to work through our differences, build a sense of understanding and trust, and become your own team.
That’s where therapy comes in.
Therapy for couples can help you deal with common relationship problems, discover insights about one another, and develop a stronger bond. If you and your partner are ready to revamp your relationship, let’s connect.
How can couple therapy help?
The healthiest relationships tend to have three things in common:
First, healthy relationships have a high degree of trust. Trust is all about safety and confidence in one another. You know that your partner won’t intentionally harm or betray you. But, when someone violates that trust (e.g., cheating or abuse), that sense of safety quickly disappears.
Second, healthy relationships have strong feelings of emotional and physical intimacy. Intimacy is about closeness, romance, and vulnerability. Many couples struggle with sexual satisfaction and other forms of physical intimacy, but even more tend to have issues with being open and emotionally connected with one another.
And third, healthy relationships have a shared sense of commitment. Commitment is all about dedication to one another and a desire to maintain the relationship. Commitment doesn’t need to be formal (e.g., marriage) per se – it’s more about effort. Relationships that have low levels of commitment tend to feel temporary, unreliable, and unstable.
If your relationship struggles in one or more of these areas, therapy can help.
Therapy for couples is specifically designed to boost feelings of trust, deepen intimacy, and enhance feelings of commitment by helping the two of you learn to communicate and work as a team. Communication the key to understanding one another, expressing your needs, and having your needs met.
Couple counseling can help you overcome common challenges by guiding you through difficult conversations about the goals and values of the relationship. You get a chance to problem-solve issues with intimacy, trust, and closeness as you discover a deeper sense of connection with one another.
Ultimately, most of the issues couples struggle with involve communication – which is why couples counseling is so incredibly effective. Couples counselors are able to observe patterns of communication, identify problems, and offer solutions to help you and your partner work well as a team.
What if the relationship just isn’t working?
At first, we do what we can to make the relationship improve.
However, not all relationships are able to recover from certain issues, and not all couples can healthily stay together. In those cases, we may transition therapy to focus on creating healthy separation or amicable divorce. We work as a team to make sure that everyone’s needs are taken care of, including anyone else who might be involved (e.g. children or friends).
No matter how difficult things might seem, therapy can help.
Seasons of Strength offers therapy for couples because every relationship deserves a second chance – including yours.
What does couples therapy look like with Laureen DiMattia?
Let’s get your relationship back on track.
Therapy for couples is different from individual therapy. Unless we make a plan to meet separately at some point, you, your partner, and I will always meet together for our sessions. All of our sessions are confidential, of course, and tailored to your goals as a couple. I work with couples who are in all sorts of partnerships – married, engaged, cohabitating, you name it.
My approach to couple therapy is supportive, client-centered, and evidence based. I hope to provide you with the help you need so that, eventually, the two of you can provide that help to one another.
As we work together in couples counseling, I strive to help you:
- Resolve conflict
- Grow closer together
- Make decisions as a team
- Build a future that works for both of you
- Engage in difficult conversations
- Work through ruptures in trust
- Overcome barriers to intimacy and sexual wellness
- Support and care for one another
I call my practice Seasons of Strength for a reason.
All of us experience hardship. All of us go through times where we feel helpless, defeated, and broken. All of us live through ups and downs, through misery and joy. I believe that, no matter what life has thrown your way, you have the power to make things better. You can find your source of strength, freedom, and control.
Together, we can make that happen.
Find Your Season of Strength
Interested in hearing more about my practice?
Want to learn more about how I can help?
I would love to hear from you. Click on Contact in the menu above to get started.
Phone Number:
201-822-1394
Office:
Telehealth available in the Washington DC area.
Contact seasonsofstrength@gmail.com or call for more information or to schedule an appointment!