Resources for better communication
Effective and Reflective Communication Skills
What we tend to say:
"I feel like you don't listen to me."
​
What is the feeling being implied here? Your partner may be trying to communicate that they're feeling dismissed or ignored. The words "you don't listen to me" place blame and attack.
​
What would be better to say:
"I feel ___dismissed, ignored, etc.( insert feeling word) __because I'm not heard."
​
​
Marriage Education works
Q. What makes a marriage work?
A. "Marriages can do more than merely survive: They can also thrive when couples learn the skills to make their relationship work.”
There are many components to make a marriage work such as communication, goals, and problem solving. However, three components of a healthy marriage are Friendship, Passion and Compromise.
Friendship is the person who you trust with your secrets, the person you share yourself with, the person you who forgives and does not hold grudges, the person you lean on and is supportive without solving your problems(unless you ask).
Passion is the romance, the sensuality, the sexuality of the marriage.
And lastly, the ability to yield and agree is Compromise in the marriage.
​
Fagan, Patrick F., Patterson, Robert W. & Robert Rector. (2002) “Marriage and Welfare Reform. The Overwhelming Evidence that Marriage EducationWorks.” The Heritage Foundation: Backgrounder #1606.
What can counseling do for you?
Counseling can offer numerous benefits for individuals, couples, and adolescents, fostering personal growth and enhancing relationships. In marriage counseling, couples can experience increased intimacy, improved communication, and the rekindling of passion. Furthermore, it can contribute to improved physical health and reduced stress and anxiety levels, creating a healthier and more harmonious relationship.
​
Individual counseling provides a supportive space to overcome past pain, trauma, and disappointment, enabling individuals to heal and move forward. It also helps in building improved relationships across various domains, such as work, family, and friendships. Through counseling, individuals can address childhood trauma, boost self-confidence, find support through depression, and work towards achieving their life goals, leading to greater overall well-being and a reduction in anxiety.
For adolescents, counseling plays a crucial role in fostering a healthy self-esteem, providing assistance with depression, and improving family relationships. By reducing stress within the home environment, counseling enables adolescents to develop a confident outlook and reinforces positive communication skills, equipping them with the tools necessary for navigating their formative years successfully.
​
Seeking counseling can be a transformative journey that offers support, guidance, and the opportunity for personal and relational growth. It provides a safe and confidential space for individuals, couples, and adolescents to explore their challenges, gain valuable insights, and develop strategies for lasting positive change.
My Approach
Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) are licensed mental health professionals who specialize in working with individuals, couples (whether married or not), families of all types, and groups to address various mental, emotional, and relational concerns. MFTs recognize the significance of treating an individual's emotional issues within the context of their current or past relationships. They employ early crisis intervention and brief, focused psychotherapy techniques to swiftly resolve problems and alleviate symptoms.
Additionally, MFTs possess the expertise and skills necessary for working with individuals who require more intensive and long-term treatment. They offer their services in diverse settings, providing mental health support and maintaining independent practices. MFTs typically hold master's degrees, have completed a minimum of 3,000 hours of supervised experience, and have successfully passed comprehensive exams to ensure their competence in the field.
​
As a practicing LMFT, I am eager to help guide you and work with you on resolving various issues, providing empowering tools to you, and helping you make and achieve growth goals in your life and relationships.
​
Please explore this website for valuable resources that can benefit you and your spouse or family.
​
Sincerely,
Dan