Psychotherapy In Atlanta

I provide therapy for individuals (adults only) and couples / relationships, including all-day intensives.
I also provide consultation for licensed clinicians.

Some issues I frequently work on with clients include:

• Relationships (including premarital)
• Alcohol / Substance Abuse and Recovery
• Depression and Anxiety
• Personal Growth and Development
• Life Transitions
• Family of Origin

Couples Therapy
I have trained and worked as a therapist since 2001. Originally I studied Family Systems and Object Relations (Psychodynamic) theories, as well as addiction/recovery and the intersection with spirituality. Like many couples therapists, I trained and worked for many years in the Gottman Method Couples Therapy and Sue Johnson’s Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples (EFT). I first encountered Terry Real’s Relational Life Therapy (RLT) more than decade ago and began to incorporate his approach in my couples/relationships repertoire.

It did not take me long to discover the revolutionary nature of RLT and how it literally transforms people’s relationships with each other, themselves, and the world. I was hooked. I read all of Terry Real’s books, watched him do intensive work with couples, and took some of his online courses. I made the commitment to intensive study and training in RLT and became a Certified RLT Therapist–one of the credentials I am most proud to have. Now Relational Life Therapy is the foundation of all my work.

Relational Life Therapy is different from other couples/relationship therapies. That’s a good thing. Many people come to an RLT therapist after unsuccessful attempts with other couples therapists, and in RLT they find the help they need because we are different.

How is Relational Life Therapy different?
An RLT therapist uses a much more direct and directive approach, and unlike the way most people think about relationship therapy, an RLT therapist does take sides. Our client is the relationship, and we are “on the side” of change. We are “on the side” of helping people stop using relationship-defeating strategies and instead building mutually-cherishing relationships. Although it can be a bitter pill to swallow, the route there isn’t always 50-50. We know that, and we can help you.

An RLT therapist takes a firm stand against relationally harmful behaviors while still holding the individuals in warm regard. One of Terry Real’s many sayings is: “The answer to ‘Who’s right and who’s wrong?’ is ‘Who cares!'” It’s the wrong question. Instead the question ought to be, How can we understand each other’s subjective reality, hear each other’s pain, and work toward a solution?  In RLT you will learn that it is to your advantage to help your partner get what they want and help them give you what you want. In RLT you will learn that partners are neither “one-up” nor “one-down,” but “same as.”  You will learn some of the neurobiology behind your button-pushed reactions and how to act differently and more skillfully. (Another of Terry’s many sayings is: “Other therapies teach you skills. We deal with the part of you that doesn’t want to use them.”) You may do some inner child/trauma work in front of your partner(s). You will learn to take responsibility for your needs and communicate effectively. You will learn how to be in better relationship with your partner(s), yourself, and the people around you. You deserve it. Your partner(s) deserve it. If you have children, they deserve it.

There are two ways to work on your relationship with me: regular appointments following the format below and/or one-day intensives (9-4 with a break for lunch).

• I coordinate my own appointments. When we schedule a time to meet, you will need to pay a deposit to reserve the time, and before the first session you will each need to fill out my intake forms and take an online questionnaire.
• In the initial 90-minute session I will meet with you in your relationship and invite you to talk about the history of your relationship, areas of concern, and goals for therapy.
• In the following two sessions (50 minutes each) I will meet with each of you individually to learn your personal histories and to give each of you an opportunity to share thoughts, feelings, and perceptions, including any concerns you may have.
• In the fourth session (90 minutes) I will share with you my feedback and recommendations for treatment, including any referrals to others and frequency of sessions, and we will have begun.

Premarital Counseling
I am trained and certified in PREPARE/ENRICH, an assessment and counseling approach for couples preparing for marriage or seeking to improve their marriage.  I generally recommend at least six counseling sessions for couples preparing for marriage.  Note that many counties in Georgia offer a discount on the marriage license for couples who have received premarital counseling/education.  Check with your county about requirements.

Consultation/Supervision
I offer consultation/supervision to licensed clinicians. Please contact me for more information.

Psychology/counseling students please note:
There are no internship or administrative opportunities available in my practice.