COUPLES / RELATIONSHIP THERAPY

Our relationship with our partner is our primary attachment relationship as adults.  When this relationship is strained, it can take a toll on every aspect of our world.  Three Little Birds therapists take a relational approach and have specialized training in supporting couples, including Gottman and Emotionally Focused couples therapy.   We have helped couples through a variety of issues including infidelity/ affairs, substance abuse,  life changes ( baby/ children, job change, loss, etc), sexual concerns, communication issues, feelings of disconnection,  ethical non-monogomy and parenting style differences.  We can also help couples who are contemplating divorce and help them process and explore what un-coupling would be like.    

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          Some ways that we can help:

  • Increase healthy communication

  • Decrease frequency and intensity of conflict

  • Process anger, resentments and past hurts

  • Build trust 

  • Increase feelings of connection and shared meaning

  • Co parenting issues

  • Address concerns around sexual intimacy

  • Increase sexual satisfaction and intimacy

  • Exploring or incorporating ethical non-monogamy 

  • Family conflict issues

  • Impact of trauma on relationship

  • Family roles, shared responsibility in household

  • Life changes

  • Building life goals and dreams​​

Couples Co Regulating Approach

Co-regulation is when someone feeling relaxed can basically "share their calm" with someone experiencing intense negative emotions. It's a warm, responsive, and empathetic way to support or even "coach" people through hard feelings to help them regulate their nervous system.  As humans we are all in relationship one way or another each and everyday. We feel comforted in relationships and we also experience trauma in relationships. Most of us struggle with conflict in our relationships. 

 

In couples work, we use co regulation as a way to help "re wire" our brains responses to our partner, and create a long lasting feeling of safety within the relational context, as well as learn how to stay connected through conflict. 

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Katie interweaves Imago, Brainspotting, Attachment theory, Polyvagal theory and Parts work and, when combined, allows the couple to nurture deep, meaningful, long-term connection. Through the process they will also develop skills for self-mastery through intentional connection.   

If you are interested in learning more about this approach or how it could support your relationship, please reach out.  Katie offers co regulation therapy in regular 55 minute sessions, 90 minute sessions or as part of a couples intensive.