I Work With Happy Couples...

SERIOUSLY…

I usually get a LAUGH when I say that, but it’s TRUE.

The couples that I work with are HAPPY (for the most part).

They are COMMITTED to their relationship but they just have a few of those pesky things – like communication, conflict management, lack of friendship and intimacy – to work on.

 

Schedule a FREE Phone Consultation

 

Couples Therapy for Happy Couples may sound like a strange idea, but TIMES ARE CHANGING.

In the not-so-recent-past, couples only attended therapy as a desperate, final attempt to salvage an already broken relationship. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t.

I’m a PROACTIVE therapist, as opposed to a REACTIVE therapist. I enjoy helping couples learn the skills that are necessary for a HEALTHY, HAPPY, LONG-TERM relationship. That’s why I’m all about relationship education through therapy and workshops for couples.

The couples I work best with...

-are committed and know they want to be together

-want to boost their connection, friendship, and intimacy

-desire to understand each other better and increase healthy communication skills

-want to learn ways to better manage conflict

The couples I'm not the best fit for (but have great referrals for)...

-are recovering from infidelity

-experiencing very high conflict

-ambivalent about their relationship or on the brink of divorce

-are looking for parenting support

Schedule a FREE Phone Consultation

Want to know what couples therapy with me looks like?

Check out the slides below…

Gottman Method Couples Therapy

The Relationship Enrichment services provided here at AVL Couples Therapy are based on Gottman Method Couples Therapy, a goal-oriented and scientifically-based approach built upon over 40 years of research.

The effectiveness of this approach can, in-part, be attributed to the in-depth assessment of the relationship’s strengths and needs before beginning treatment. Therefore, the first three sessions are assessment only.

Read more about the assessment phase on the next slide…

Assessment

The assessment phase serves several beneficial purposes. You and your partner will get a sense of my style as a therapist and will be able to determine if you would like to continue working with me.

This phase also allows me to get a better understanding of your relationship so that I can determine if I will be the best therapist to meet your needs as a couple. More than anything I want you to get exactly what you need, whether I’m the therapist that can provide that for you or not.

Read more about the first session on the next slide…

Session One

Session One will consist of a warm welcome and a review of my office policies and informed consent. I will then invite you two to share the story of your relationship, the history of your relationship, and your relationship philosophy in order to gain a greater understanding of your unique experience as a couple.

At the end of the session I will give you instructions to complete the Gottman Relationship Checkup, an integral part to enriching your relationship.

Read more about the Gottman Relationship Check up on the next slide…

Gottman Relationship Checkup

The Gottman Relationship Checkup is an online assessment that thoroughly assesses a couple’s strengths and challenges. The checkup consists of 480 questions about friendship, intimacy, how well you know your partner, how you manage emotions and conflict, how you share your values and goals, and what gives meaning to your lives.

Set aside 1-2 hours to complete this assessment. I know, 2 hours can be a long time. But it would take many sessions and hundreds of dollars for me to gather the information contained in this online assessment. So, by taking the assessment you are saving both time and money.

Read more about Session Two on the next slide…

Session Two

Session Two will be shared between you and your partner. I will meet with each of you individually for 30 minutes. During this time you will be able to share your own story of what brings you to therapy. We will also explore any family history that you believe will be relevant to the process. Topics will include your commitment to the relationship, your hopes and expectations, and your personal goals.

It’s important to note that I have a No Secrets Policy. This means that I will not keep information said in this session confidential from your partner. Secrets can create an alliance between the therapist and one partner, which can be damaging to the therapeutic relationship.

Read more about Session Three on the next slide…

Session Three

We all return together for Session Three, the final phase of the assessment. By this time I will have received your completed online assessment (Gottman Relationship Checkup). I will summarize the results of your assessment using the Sound Relationship House, and discuss goals for treatment.

At this point in time, the assessment phase is winding down and it will be time for you and your partner to decide if you would like to continue working with me. If you decide to proceed, we will collaboratively develop goals for treatment.

Read more about Sessions 4+ on the next slide…

Treatment and Interventions

Session 4, and subsequent sessions, will consist of research-based treatment and interventions specific to your relationship. There are three main domains for therapeutic goals. They focus on managing conflict constructively, enhancing friendship and intimacy, and creating shared meaning.

So, to summarize, I practice from the Gottman Method Couples Therapy model, a research-based, structured, and goal-oriented approach. The first three sessions are assessment only. We begin treatment and interventions in Session 4.

If you would like to enrich your relationship and this is an approach you can get behind, please schedule a free phone consultation to see if we are a good fit.

Schedule a FREE Phone Consultation

Making Relationships Work

In this video, Dr. John Gottman shares the results on his – over 40 years of – research as it relates to making marriage work. It’s worth setting aside 45 minutes to watch. He speaks in detail about the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, strengthening friendship and intimacy, working through conflict, and creating meaning and purpose in your relationship. Enjoy!

Are you ready to commit?

Not only is therapy a commitment of your time and energy, it’s a financial commitment as well. Because much of therapy’s effectiveness is based on these commitments, it’s important that you plan your time and budget your money for 3-6 months of therapy (or more). I encourage you to carefully consider your level of commitment – as it relates to your time, your energy, and your money – before you decide if Couples Therapy is right for you. To put the financial commitment in perspective, the cost can range from $1,500 to $3,000+ depending on the length of treatment. If we work together, I ask that you and your partner both be “all in” and fully committed to making your relationship work.

Pricing for 60 Minute Sessions

I am a Private Pay Therapist and do not accept insurance.

Session One

$180/60 minutes
  • Intake & Assessment
  • Includes Gottman Relationship Checkup

Session Two

$180/60 minutes
  • Assessment
  • Two Individual Sessions (30 minutes)

Session Three

$180/60 minutes
  • Assessment
  • Collaborative Goal Setting and Planning

Sessions 4+

$180/60 minutes
  • Treatment & Intervention
  • Ongoing Assessment and Updating of Goals
Schedule a FREE Phone Consultation

Asheville Couples Therapist Directory

I have created a simple listing of Couples Therapists here in the Asheville area. There are many couples reaching out for support, including you. Sometimes the first therapist you reach out to is full, or isn’t in your budget, or their office isn’t convenient to your home or office, or doesn’t have the availability that you need. I wanted to help out by creating a list of therapists that work with couples to make your search convenient.

Let me check out these awesome therapists!

Get Your FREE Relationship Guide...

5 Evenings to a Better Relationship will walk you through easy proven and research-based actions to take in your relationship over the course of a week.

That's 7 days to do 5 small things!

Are you up for the challenge?... Actually, it's not that challenging 😉

I'm Ready!

AVL Couples Therapy | 34 Wall Street, Suite 609, Asheville, North Carolina 28801

avlcouples@gmail.com | Client Portal

FREE Relationship Guide

Five easy actions to better your relationship over the course of a week!

Thanks for joining the Happy Couples Playbook! Your relationship guide is on the way!

Don't miss your guide - check your spam folder. Your email address will be kept safe and will not be shared with anyone. Pinky swear. You can unsubscribe at anytime, but it'll be best for your relationship if you don't. I'll respect your inbox and send out information no more than once a month, unless there's something that I think you just can't do without.

Pin It on Pinterest