COUPLES THERAPY

In my experience in working with couples, there is a common theme; they have been interacting the same way for years and are feeling stuck, unhappy and/or disconnected. It can sometimes be such a subtle, slow process, which builds over time, that couples have difficulty identifying what went wrong.  Unhappy relationships can also put significant stress on the mind and body resulting in anxiety, depression, and sometimes physical ailments. I help couples understand their negative interaction patterns, and communicate more deeply and effectively. As a result, this  creates more intimacy.  I also help men and women understand their differences, especially in how they express themselves and how they react to stress.  It is amazing to see how small changes in day to day interactions can have such a positive effect on a relationship. 

 I have worked for the last 15 years with teens in Marin County and San Francisco in various settings, in schools, in-home therapy and in my private practice. In my experience, I find teens to be insightful, interesting and resilient, yet they are also in a state of profound change. They are trying to figure out who they are, where they fit in and how to be their own person, separate from their parents and siblings, in addition to coping with the increased academic pressure and social media pressure.  I provide a supportive environment for teens to have a place to talk freely, learn more about themselves and ways to reduce stress and enhance communication skills. I have found that helping teens and parents learn to appreciate each others point of view and to reach agreements that work for everyone results in a more calm and happy home environment. 

I help parents create structure and clear expectations which gives teens a sense of safety and security.  I work with parents and teens on how to engage in respectful and supportive communication that fosters growth and maturity in the teen.  I help families create boundaries and rules around cell phone use, social media, driving, substance use and more. Click here for practical tips and resources for parents and teens.

When a parent or caregiver comes to me with concerns about their adolescent, I begin with a thoughtful and thorough assessment process. This includes understanding the teens emotional and behavioral experiences, their developmental history and the broader family dynamics. I consider whether the challenges may be best addressed through individual therapy such as when there are signs of anxiety, depression or other mental health concerns or whether family therapy might be more appropriate to support improved communication, connection and functioning within the home.  In some cases, a combination of approaches may be most helpful; parent coaching combined with family therapy.  My goal is always to create a clear path forward that supports both the adolescent and their family as a whole.

I work with parents to build stronger, more connected relationships with their teens. Together, we focus on creating clear structure and accountability at home, improving communication skills, and helping parents set consistent boundaries with empathy. I support parents in learning how to truly listen to their teens perspective, respond with understanding, and shift from reactive patterns to more intentional, supportive approaches that foster trust and respect.