As a marriage counselor in Raleigh NC, I am drawn to working with emotionally distanced couples, who identify themselves as "roommates" because they lack passion and deeper connection.

I also love helping couples who think they can't communicate well without fighting and arguing. They seek marriage counseling Raleigh NC, because they feel hurt, unheard, and overlooked. My objective is to help both spouses find more pleasure and serenity in themselves, their marriage, and their family.

I also work with individuals, primarily women, who:

·       Are going through stressful life transitions such as divorce

·       Experience anxiety due to COVID

·       Experience work-related challenges

·       Are curious to learn more about themselves,

·       Are interested in understanding their patterns

·       Devoted to self-growth

What Actually Happens in Marriage Counseling Raleigh NC?

Because of the confidentiality and discretion surrounding marriage counseling, most people see marriage counseling sessions as something secret and mysterious.

However, before beginning the process, it is critical to understand what is going on during couples counseling sessions. This information should help you make the best choice for yourself and your family, especially if you have no prior therapy experience.

So, this is what you can expect from weekly marriage counseling sessions in Raleigh NC.

Expect Us to Work Together for a While in Marriage Counseling Raleigh NC

I do not consider myself a short-term therapist. So, don't expect your marriage counseling Raleigh NC to last only 10 to 15 sessions and teach you only cognitive-behavioral interventions such as "I statements," cognitive restructuring, etc.

My approach involves deep work – I like to dig deep and really understand the root of everything that is happening, which takes time.

I don't work with children and adolescents; I work with adults. And by the time you come to psychotherapy as an adult (even a young adult), there are thirty years of patterns imprinted in your nervous system.

As a result, it takes time to unlearn and get rid of the conditioned ideas that your family of origin, culture, and society have taught you and learn a new way of being that feels better and is more authentic to you.

That takes time. So, expect your marriage counseling Raleigh NC to last at least a year, give or take, because of the nature of our work.

Some couples are in marriage counseling for three or four years. Then, for example, they take a few months' break to practice what they learned in treatment, and then something else comes up. The triggers will always be there, so expect yourself to be triggered and need some guidance here and there to learn how to manage these triggers. 

Expect to Do a Lot of Work in Between Marriage Counseling Sessions

We will start marriage counseling Raleigh NC, with one 50-minute session. Even though this may seem like a big commitment, it will still not be enough for all the new information to embed itself into your psyche.

I'll be giving you homework and assignments every week, and we'll be doing a lot of repetition.

I will also assign some daily check-ins with each other, which typically take five to thirty minutes.

In addition, there will be weekly rituals that we'll be working on, and I will hold you accountable for completing all this work in between our marriage counseling sessions.

As a result, you will need to practice a lot in between sessions, and it will not be only those 50 minutes each week that will benefit you. If you really want to uncover everything and heal the old wounds that have been there for a long time, you need to be very consistent.

Expect to Be Challenged

Marriage counseling Raleigh NC is a very dynamic process. This means that I will not be sitting, nodding, and pondering what you say throughout our meetings.

You can expect me to be open and honest during our work together. I will validate you, but I will also call you out on things that aren't serving you well. Finally, I will continue to challenge you throughout the whole process.

I will probe, question, and challenge you so that your limiting belief systems shatter. Then, you may change to healthy thinking to help you feel better and experience great joy and fulfillment.

Summary

 Marriage counseling in Wake Forest, NC involves deep and consistent work not only in sessions but also between them. Expect your therapy to last for at least a year, and be open to a lot of work in between your sessions because this is the best way to make a positive change and then sustain it long-term.

 I hope this was helpful. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment in my Wake Forest or virtual office, do not hesitate to book your free 15 min phone consultation online by clicking here.