Making an appointment for couples therapy is a first step towards change because it means that each partner has a desire for something to be different and a willingness to do something about it. Our first meeting is an opportunity to get to know one another so that you can decide if I seem like a good fit for you, and I learn enough about you to have some ideas about how I can be helpful. Following the first session, I like to have an individual meeting with each person so that I can get some personal and family history. Then by the next couples session, I feel I have a much fuller sense of each of you and how I can help.
I use Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) as a road map for how I approach couples therapy, so I suggest couples read the book called Hold Me Tight by Dr. Sue Johnson as a companion to the treatment. I also have couples sign a treatment contract at the beginning of treatment and after 12 sessions to review our progress.