DO MONTHS OF THERAPY IN A DAY.
I understand how busy couple’s lives can be, with demands from all around. If meeting once a week would be prohibitive due to schedule demands, childcare issues, or simply feels like it would take too long for you, then a marathon session may be a better option for you.
Marathon therapy includes:
1: initial 1-hour couple’s session*
Online Gottman questionnaires (must be completed by each partner prior to individual sessions)
2: 1-hour individual sessions (1 with each partner)*
1: 1-hour couple’s feedback session, where I will explain results of questionnaires and interviews*
1 marathon session: 6-hour Saturday session (Morning session: 9AM-12PM, lunch break 12-1, Afternoon session: 1PM-4PM) which will include 3-6 Gottman interventions – available online or in person
*There is an option to do the 4 intake sessions all in one day as 1 marathon session, or to do those separately during the week, before the marathon session. If done as a marathon session, couple will complete questionnaires before first session and then initial session will be followed by the 2 individual sessions and the feedback session on the same day. Therapist will agree on schedule with couple prior to first session.
*If done via telehealth, marathon sessions may be done over one weekend, with intake sessions Saturday and marathon session Sunday. For couple’s requesting in person meetings, only Saturdays are available.
If you are not happy with all components of your life, then the answer is likely to be, “yes.” You deserve to be happy! If a change is needed to achieve that happiness, professional help can often steer you in the right direction and provide the encouragement and tools that can get you to where you want to be. That being said, it’s not always the right time for everyone to do treatment. If you are not ready, or don’t feel like you have the capacity at this time to put in the effort these changes will require, it’s always your decision whether to proceed or not. Nobody should ever pressure you or try to make your decision for you. It’s a very personal choice, and I respect your autonomy to make this choice. Simply put: I am here if, and when, I can be of service.
My specialty is couple’s therapy. I use Gottman Method Couple’s Therapy in my work, and I am a huge proponent of the model and the research that it was created from. I have personally seen hundreds of clients from all sorts of backgrounds and situations learn the skills and turn things from looking bleak to getting that loving feeling back in the relationship and being happy again (sometimes even happy for the first time!). If you are willing to do the work, I can help guide you in learning the tools that can turn things around and get you the happy relationship and blissful life you deserve.
There is not a one-size-fits-all answer for this question. The analogy I like to use is remodeling a house. Some houses just need a coat of paint, and the remodel is successful, and the house is in great shape. Other homes need a lot of work, and everyone is aware of this from the starting point of the remodel. Still more remodels get into the process and find that some unseen issue (i.e. mold in the walls) causes the process to take longer than anticipated. Typically, I will have a better idea of how long treatment may last after completing the intake process. At this point, we will discuss a treatment plan together and decide on how to proceed. I can say my average with couples is somewhere around 12 total sessions for treatment, but some do much less and some do much more, based on the needs of the relationship.
Sessions last 45-60 minutes. Typically, at the beginning, while I am gathering information and getting to know you, we will likely spend more toward 60 minutes, and later, when things are working more efficiently, we will be closer to 45-minute sessions. Individual sessions are typically closer to 45 minutes. If you feel like more time is needed, I offer some longer options (i.e. double sessions or couple’s marathon treatment).
This is up to you. For couple’s, the Gottman Method suggests more frequent meetings at the beginning, as close to weekly as is practical, and then adding more time in between sessions as you build up your skillset. This gives more time in between sessions to practice learned skills, so we may agree on 2 or 3 weeks in between sessions for a bit after a few weeks and then maybe 6 or 8 weeks in between the final couple of sessions, if things continue going well. For individual treatment, it depends on your needs to determine how often sessions are needed, and we will discuss this when we talk about the treatment plan.
Currently, I am only offering telehealth sessions. The lone exception is the Marathon Therapy option, which is available Saturdays via telehealth or in-person at the office: 2599 E. 28th St., Suite 206 Signal Hill, Ca 90755.
Nothing is guaranteed with treatment. As stated above, I have personally seen hundreds of clients turn things around in their relationships (even for some when things looked very bleak from the intake). I have had many couples tell me at the graduation session that they think they would likely have broken up without having completed treatment. That being said, research shows that couples wait, on average, more than 2 years to seek treatment once a problem has developed. Unfortunately for some couples, damage can be done during such a waiting period that they are not able to recover from. The sooner you get help, the easier it will be, and the better your chance of success will be. As stated, I acknowledge this is a very personal choice, and I respect your autonomy to make this choice. Also, as stated: I am here if, and when, I can be of service.
Yes! While my specialty is couple’s therapy, I am capable and competent to do individual therapy for those 12 years old and up. I have also helped hundreds of individuals to do the work to make the changes they wanted, to live happier lives. Sometimes this includes dealing with issues such as anxiety, depression, addiction, or trauma. I typically use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) when doing individual therapy. If you think I would be a good fit as your individual therapist, please don’t hesitate to reach out to speak with me more.
