Couples Therapy: Embracing the Developmental Model
Are you and your partner feeling disconnected? Do you find yourselves stuck in the same arguments, wondering if there’s a way to break the cycle? Are you wondering: How do we get back the intimacy we once had or we dreamt we would have? Can we strengthen our relationship without losing ourselves in the process?
I specialize in helping couples like you navigate these questions and more through the Developmental Model of Couples Therapy. This approach is based on the understanding that relationships naturally evolve, and that partners grow both individually and together. By recognizing these stages of development, I can help you and your partner work through conflicts, transitions, and emotional barriers with greater compassion and success.
What is the Developmental Model?
The Developmental Model was created by Dr. Ellyn Bader and Dr. Peter Pearson. It focuses on the idea that healthy relationships require both individuality and togetherness. Couples often face challenges when one or both partners struggle to maintain their individuality while being part of a connected, intimate relationship. This model helps you understand where you and your partner are developmentally, identify areas of difficulty, and work toward a balanced, supportive partnership.
The issues we will look at together:
- Navigate Conflicts: Learn to approach disagreements with mutual respect and understanding, preventing them from damaging the relationship.
- Improve Communication: Strengthen how you and your partner communicate, helping you listen and respond to each other more effectively.
- Build Emotional Intimacy: Foster a deeper emotional bond by becoming more vulnerable and emotionally available to your partner.
- Strengthen Independence: Support each other’s individuality so both of you feel secure within yourselves and your relationship..
- Break Free from Stuck Patterns: Identify and overcome recurring cycles of frustration or disengagement..
What to Expect in Couples Therapy:
In our sessions, we’ll explore the unique dynamics of your relationship. Here’s what you can expect:
- Assessment: We’ll start by understanding where you and your partner are developmentally. This allows us to pinpoint the challenges you’re facing and identify areas for growth.
- Skill Building: I’ll guide you through exercises and communication techniques to help you practice new, healthier ways of relating to each other.
- Ongoing Support: As you progress, I’ll continue to provide support as you move through different stages of your relationship, ensuring that you both grow and thrive together.
Is This Therapy Right for You?:
You can benefit you if you are:
- In a long-term relationship looking to rekindle intimacy
- Newly married and adjusting to the demands of a new chapter together
- Facing the possibility of separation or divorce and want to explore every option
- Feeling stuck in repeating conflicts or patterns that seem impossible to resolve
By focusing on both your individual growth and your relationship’s development, I can help you create lasting, meaningful changes that strengthen your connection.