Couples Therapy In Golden CO
When one person feels too much & one feels shut down
In-person and online.
One reaches for closeness, the other needs space. Both long for connection but find different ways to protect their hearts. Here, we make room for both experiences.
You long for deeper connection, yet find yourselves caught in cycles where one reaches while the other withdraws. One partner feels everything intensely, while the other seems distant. Traditional advice about 'better communication' isn't reaching the depth of what's happening between you.
You've tried date nights, communication exercises, and 'talking it out.' But somehow these solutions feel superficial compared to what's really going on. One of you yearns for deeper emotional connection, while the other feels overwhelmed by the intensity of these needs. When issues arise, one partner moves closer, seeking resolution, while the other needs space to process.
These patterns leave both of you feeling misunderstood and alone. The partner reaching for connection feels rejected and unimportant. The one needing space feels pressured and inadequate. Small disagreements escalate quickly because they tap into these deeper hurts.
You love each other deeply, but that love gets lost in cycles of pursuit and distance. One partner carries the emotional weight, while the other shoulders the blame for not being 'emotional enough.' Both of you are trying your best, but your different ways of handling emotions and connection create a dance that leaves you both exhausted.
The truth is, your different emotional styles aren't the real problem - they're actually the key to deeper connection. When you learn to understand and work with these differences rather than fight against them, something new becomes possible. Real intimacy isn't about becoming the same - it's about creating a relationship where both of your experiences belong.
For Couples Where:
One partner desperately wants more emotional closeness
The other feels overwhelmed and needs space
Conversations turn into conflicts
You love each other but can't bridge the gap
Small issues become big arguments
Protection creates distance
Through couples therapy, you'll:
Learn to read and respond to each other's subtle cues
Transform defensive patterns into connection
Stay present during difficult conversations
Build emotional safety together
Develop real repair skills
Become experts in each other's inner world
The Relationship Journey:
Whether in our Golden office or through secure virtual sessions, we'll work with both partners' experiences - honoring intensity while creating space for connection. This isn't about communication tricks or forced vulnerability. It's about finding your way back to each other.
What Becomes Possible:
Fight well and repair quickly
Feel truly seen and understood
Navigate intensity with skill
Build genuine safety together
Transform triggers into connection
Create lasting intimacy
Couples Therapy Options:
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Our traditional weekly format provides focused, intentional space for your relationship. These sessions create a consistent rhythm for transformation while fitting into busy schedules. Here, we catch patterns early, maintain connection momentum, and integrate new ways of being together.
Perfect for:
Regular weekly maintenance
Practicing new communication tools
Addressing specific situations
Catching patterns before they escalate
Building on established progress
Quick repairs and check-ins
These sessions work well for couples who have found their rhythm in therapy and are actively practicing new skills. When one partner feels too much and the other needs space, these shorter sessions help you identify these dynamics before they escalate. Each session builds on the last, creating steady, sustainable change. Additional time can be added in 30-minute increments ($50) when needed to complete important processes.
Perfect for:
Regular weekly maintenance
Practicing new communication tools
Addressing specific situations
Catching patterns before they escalate
Building on established progress
Quick repairs and check-ins
These sessions work well for couples who have found their rhythm in therapy and are actively practicing new skills. When one partner feels too much and the other needs space, these shorter sessions help you identify these dynamics before they escalate. Each session builds on the last, creating steady, sustainable change. Additional time can be added in 30-minute increments ($50) when needed to complete important processes.
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Most couples find this extended format ideal, especially in the early stages of therapy. The additional time creates natural spaciousness for both partners to feel fully heard and understood, without the pressure of a shorter session.
What becomes possible:
Deep diving into patterns
Real-time practice of new skills
Complete emotional processing
Thorough repair after triggers
Both partners feeling fully heard
Integration time for new insights
Space to practice vulnerability
Time to end sessions feeling complete
When one partner needs to process emotions and the other needs time to find words, this format honors both experiences. We can move beyond surface issues into the deeper patterns that keep you stuck, working through triggers and developing new ways of connecting in real-time. These sessions often lead to more sustainable change because we have time to both identify patterns and practice new ways of being together. Additional time available in 30-minute increments ($50) to honor breakthrough moments.
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A transformative day in Golden's wilderness designed for couples ready to break free from stuck patterns. This immersive experience takes therapy beyond the office walls, using nature as our co-therapist to discover new possibilities in your relationship.
This premium experience includes:
Pre-intensive preparation guide
Location carefully chosen for your work
Morning centering practices
Multiple processing periods
Nature-based trust exercises
Somatic awareness practices
Real-time pattern transformation
Integration periods
Nourishment breaks
Closing ceremony
Post-intensive integration guide
Follow-up session
Perfect for couples:
Wanting to accelerate their growth
Rebuilding trust
Breaking through stuck patterns
Seeking deeper connection
Making important decisions
Transitioning through life changes
Ready for profound transformation
In nature's expansive container, couples often access deeper levels of understanding that aren't always available in traditional settings. You'll learn to read each other's subtle cues, develop deeper understanding, and create new ways of supporting each other's needs. The day includes somatic awareness practices, trust-building experiences, and real-time pattern transformation.
The extended format allows for deep work while honoring both partners' processes. Many couples report that this single day creates shifts equivalent to months of weekly therapy. This premium offering combines the depth of therapeutic work with the transformative power of nature, creating lasting change in your relationship.
Common questions about Couples Therapy:
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In our work together, I utilize a combination of powerful therapeutic models to address the unique dynamics of your relationship. These include:
Gestalt Therapy: This approach focuses on present-moment awareness and helps uncover how unresolved issues from the past are impacting your current relationship. Through experiential exercises and a focus on the here-and-now, Gestalt therapy promotes deeper understanding and emotional connection between partners.
Gottman Therapy: Based on extensive research, Gottman Therapy offers practical strategies to enhance communication and resolve conflicts. It emphasizes building a strong foundation of trust and respect, and provides tools for managing disagreements in a constructive way.
Relational Life Therapy: This model explores how each partner’s past experiences and personal patterns influence the relationship. It focuses on developing a more authentic and supportive connection by addressing individual needs and fostering mutual understanding.
Attachment Theory: Understanding your attachment styles helps in recognizing how you and your partner relate to each other and respond to emotional needs. By exploring these styles, we can work on building a secure and responsive bond that enhances intimacy and stability.
Together, these models offer a comprehensive approach to improving your relationship, addressing both individual and relational dynamics to foster a deeper, more fulfilling connection.
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Sessions range from 50-120 minutes depending on the couples needs and budget.
90 minutes is the suggested time to get most out of your experience.
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The duration of couples therapy varies depending on several factors, including the nature and complexity of the issues you're facing, your goals, and your progress. Here's a general overview to help you understand what to expect:
Initial Phase (4-8 Sessions): In the beginning, we’ll focus on understanding your relationship dynamics, identifying key issues, and setting goals. This phase often involves exploring patterns and developing initial strategies for improvement.
Middle Phase (8-16 Sessions): As we delve deeper, we’ll work on implementing strategies and interventions tailored to your needs. This phase is crucial for addressing underlying issues, improving communication, and building stronger connections.
Ongoing or Maintenance Phase: Some couples may benefit from longer-term therapy to continue working on their relationship or to address new challenges as they arise. Others may find that they have achieved their goals and can transition to occasional check-ins or conclude therapy.
The exact number of sessions required can vary. It’s essential to approach therapy with an open mind and flexibility, allowing for adjustments based on your progress. Regularly reviewing your goals and outcomes will help ensure that therapy remains effective and aligned with your needs.
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60 minute couples session: $200
90 minute couples session: $250
120 minute couples session: $300
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Yes, couples therapy can be highly effective when both partners are committed to the process. Its effectiveness depends on several factors, including the quality of the therapeutic relationship, the methods used, and the willingness of both partners to engage in the work. Here’s why couples therapy often leads to positive outcomes:
Improved Communication: Couples therapy helps partners develop healthier communication skills, allowing them to express their needs and feelings more clearly and constructively.
Conflict Resolution: Therapy provides tools and strategies for resolving conflicts in a way that strengthens rather than weakens the relationship. It helps partners understand each other’s perspectives and find mutually satisfying solutions.
Increased Understanding: Through therapy, partners gain insight into their own and each other’s emotional needs, attachment styles, and behavioral patterns. This deeper understanding fosters empathy and strengthens the bond between them.
Addressing Underlying Issues: Couples therapy helps identify and address the root causes of relationship problems, including unresolved conflicts, past traumas, and unmet needs. By tackling these underlying issues, therapy can lead to more meaningful and lasting change.
Strengthening the Relationship: Therapy focuses on enhancing the overall quality of the relationship. It promotes trust, intimacy, and connection, helping couples build a stronger, more resilient partnership.
Personal Growth: Both partners can experience personal growth through therapy, leading to improved individual well-being and, consequently, a healthier relationship.
While couples therapy can be highly effective, it requires active participation, openness, and a willingness to work through challenges. With commitment from both partners and the support of a skilled therapist, many couples find that therapy significantly enhances their relationship and leads to positive, lasting changes.
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No, you don’t need to be engaged or married to benefit from couples therapy. Therapy is valuable for couples at various stages of their relationship, including:
Dating: Couples who are dating can use therapy to strengthen their relationship, improve communication, and address any issues that arise early on. It can be a proactive way to build a solid foundation for the future.
Engaged: If you’re engaged, couples therapy can help you prepare for marriage by addressing potential challenges, enhancing communication, and ensuring that you’re on the same page about important topics.
Married: For married couples, therapy can be a supportive space to work through ongoing issues, improve intimacy, and address any changes or challenges that arise over time.
Long-term Partnerships: Even if you’re not formally engaged or married, long-term partners can benefit from therapy to address issues, enhance their relationship, and work towards shared goals.
Couples therapy is designed to support and strengthen any romantic relationship, regardless of its formal status. The key is a willingness from both partners to engage in the therapeutic process and work together towards improving their relationship.
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Yes, I have extensive experience working with couples to help them prepare for their big day. Therapy provides an opportunity to reinforce the reasons behind their commitment, ensuring they enter the ceremony feeling confident and ready for a long-term partnership.
I often remind couples that it's unrealistic to perfect everything before marriage. Ongoing challenges will naturally arise as the relationship evolves. For the best results, I recommend scheduling maintenance sessions after the ceremony to continue nurturing and strengthening the relationship.