Couples Therapy
COUPLES THERAPY
“We are never so vulnerable as when we love.”
– Sigmund Freud
Why Emotionally Focused Therapy? Our relationships give us great purpose and meaning in life. The relationship we have with our partner, marital or otherwise, is perhaps one of the most vital/significant relationships in our adult life. Yet, what happens to each individual when this critical relationship ceases to be a safe, content, secure space? Many couples may attempt to decrease their relationship distress, but find the process daunting and unproductive. Oftentimes, the distress in one’s relationship cannot be altered through “communication skills” interventions or other relationship enhancing exercises alone. Perhaps, even, certain types of couples therapy have proven ineffective at decreasing conflict and increasing closeness/connection. This is where Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) comes in; EFT can provide a new and highly effective approach in treating relationship distress. It is the most effective relational therapy ever researched, creating long term, stable change that remains in place over time. Change in EFT ultimately helps create a more secure attachment bond in a relationship.
What To Expect? The therapist will help each individual, within that partnership, identify the dominant, destructive patterns that have ultimately kept the couple stuck. Once the patterns are identified and made to be the “enemy,” the couple can then label their cyclical patterns as destructive and stop pointing the finger at one another. The therapist helps the couple identify and disengage from this disruptive cycle of interaction. Couples can then learn to create a safe space for their vulnerable, authentic selves to emerge, which in essence allows for transformative experiences to follow.
Structure/Time Commitment? Each couples session is 60 minutes. The therapist will meet with the couple together for the first intake appointment. After the first appointment, on a different date, the therapist will meet with each person individually once and then from thereon out, the therapist will always meet with the couple together. EFT typically takes anywhere between 12 and 20 sessions. However, each couple, as well as their presentation, is different, making this timeline a general estimation.
"I am beyond grateful for Kindra and all of her amazing insight! She helped my husband and me during an extremely difficult period in our marriage and parenting journey. I think it is challenging to find a couples therapist that both partners relate to/connect with, this was easy with Kindra. My husband and I both felt comfortable, challenged, and hopeful during therapy. She is relatable, funny, intelligent, and honest. I have seen a handful of therapists in Charleston and Kindra is the best! If you are looking for a professional, dependable, and responsive person to share your struggles with, I highly recommend Kindra!"
- Client
“Love doesn’t just sit there, like a stone, it has to be made, like bread, remade all the time, made new.”
- Ursula K. Le Guin