Relationship and Marriage Counseling therapists in Shelbyville, Tennessee TN
Relationship and Marriage Counseling
Adam Luke M.A. LMFT
Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT
I have never heard a pick-up line that focused on, “Hey, I don’t suppose you’d want to come spend the best part of your life with me as we argue, resent, and slowly hate each other until one of us dies, do you?”
How the heck did we get here? Where it feels like as a couple, we have grown farther and farther apart. Before the communication felt free and lite. But now, whenever I do communicate with my significant other, it’s like I am giving a PowerPoint presentation at a board meeting?
Where did the courtship go? The fun? The spontaneity?
The truth is we fight so hard to build something, to nurture this relationship between us, and then our passions, goals and focuses slowly change. Before, you would drive an hour to see your significant other for 15 minutes. The passion and intimacy in your relationship were present, consistent, and prioritized.
Now? You are lucky to high five before you turn the lights out at night.
Here is what I know about couples: You started off infatuated with each other, pursuing each other. Then life stepped into the gap. We check off boxes in the “where we should be in this relationship” list, and we forget that WE are never done growing in a relationship. Through therapy, we will revisit what it is like to date each other, be nurturing to each other, and find positive ways of communicating with each other and cherishing each other.
Let me be honest; this work is going to be challenging. Our therapy will require commitment to continuing to pursue our spouse. Our work together is going to look like stealing time back for yourselves. It’s going to be prioritizing your mutual happiness over social obligations. It’s going to be *SHOCKER* putting your relationship above those kids you share.
This sounds selfish…
But is it? Is it selfish to have a healthy marriage that blesses your kids? A safe home where you model better communication patterns to the little ears in the house? Is it selfish to have a healthy relationship that encourages others around you to be more intentional about prioritizing those they love in their life?
I hope you know you both deserve to be heard, to be seen, and to be LOVED. Let’s sit down and find that new way forward.
10 Years Experience
Relationship and Marriage Counseling
Gayle MacBride
Psychologist, PhD, LP
Relationships are special and take considerable work. It doesn't matter if you are seeking a therapist to help you early in your relationship before "stuff happens" or are trying to back up and address longer standing patterns, I can help you be a strong "Us". When working with relationships we are going to talk about ways to make you a team and help you improve the ways you talk with each other to increase your understanding. The Gottman's talk about "Masters" and "Disasters" - I can help you be the former.
18 Years Experience
Relationship and Marriage Counseling
Alena Porter
Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC, NCC
I use the four (or more) session model for relationship counseling. For the first session I meet with all the partners to establish what issues brought them to counseling. Then in the second and third (or more) sessions I meet with each partner individually so that they can say things to me that they don't want to say in front of their partner(s) and then for the fourth session I meet with all the partners together to review what I have learned and lay out my proposed treatment moving forward. I have found this method to be very effective, especially when compared to strictly relationship sessions.
6 Years Experience
Relationship and Marriage Counseling
Kathryn Ziemer
Psychologist, PhD
Every relationship has its challenges. Sometimes it takes an outside person to help you and your partner work through these challenges in an empathic and objective way. I use techniques that have been proven to work. Together, we will create a trusting and safe environment where you and your partner can talk openly about the issues that divide you. I don’t take sides or place blame. Instead, I work to understand each of you as individuals and as a couple. Our work will focus on building better communication skills, having more positive experiences as a couple, and coping more effectively with challenges. Together, you and your partner can build a stronger relationship.
16 Years Experience
Relationship and Marriage Counseling
Ben Dickstein
Psychologist, PhD
I provide services to couples seeking relationship and marriage counseling. I typically include elements of cognitive behavioral therapy and integrative behavioral couples therapy in these sessions. The types of issues that I typically work on with couples include improving communication skills, diminishing the frequency/intensity of arguments, and working through past histories of trauma.
11 Years Experience