In the first session I’ll start with an assessment. I’ll ask questions to understand what you want to achieve through therapy. I’ll also explore your attachment style which is how you relate to yourself and others. We’ll discuss your core beliefs such as feeling unsafe or not being good enough and any self-destructive behaviours like self-sabotage or procrastination. Then we’ll set clear goals and create a plan for your sessions. For example, we might begin with talking therapy for a “here and now” approach. If we find issues from the past, we might try psychodynamic therapy or Internal Family in your next session. If your reactions seem related to trauma, I might suggest EMDR or attachment-focused EMDR. However, the plan is a joint decision and I’ll explain why I think a certain approach suits you best. Each client receives a tailored treatment plan based on their unique strengths, challenges and goals. This plan remains flexible to adapt to changing needs over time.
In my work I prioritize a few key elements:
In couples therapy I encourage you to take emotional risks and step out of your comfort zones. While I offer empathy and understanding I also present observations that might be challenging to hear, with the belief that coaching can shift painful patterns. The goal is typically set for six sessions with a review, incorporating both couple and individual sessions to address and heal relationship dynamics. From the first session couples gain effective skills for mutual understanding and are encouraged to practice these between sessions.
I foster open and honest communication between partners helping them express themselves without judgment and actively listening to each other’s perspectives. I involve both partners in identifying and addressing issues in the relationship, facilitating productive discussions and helping them develop
strategies for resolving conflicts and making decisions together.
While it’s important to explore underlying issues I also focus on finding practical solutions and strategies for improving the relationship, fostering growth and promoting positive change. I may assign homework assignments or exercises to practice between sessions, reinforcing new skills
and behaviours. Additionally, I follow up on progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed.
My promise is to remain neutral and unbiased, acting as a mediator to facilitate constructive dialogue and prevent one partner from dominating the session or dismissing the other’s concerns.
Once a month, I offer focused weekend workshops for couples who want to work more deeply in a short and contained space. These private intensives are designed exclusively for you and your partner and are particularly helpful if time feels limited or you can’t commit to regular therapy.
Over a total of five hours, the workshops focus on strengthening communication and creating space to bring what feels most challenging in your relationship such as present-day difficulties, unresolved experiences from the past, or concerns about the future. We work at a gentle and supportive pace, beginning with simple, structured exercises that help you build confidence in speaking and listening in new ways.
As the work unfolds we carefully explore the deeper sources of pain, resentment, mistrust, or conflict that may be maintaining unhelpful patterns. Within the five hours, I also meet individually with each of you for a 50-minute session, allowing space for personal reflection that supports and informs the couple work.
Following the workshop you will receive a written summary of our work together, along with tailored exercises to help you continue practicing and integrating what you’ve learned in the workshop.