Couples & Family Therapy 

Every relationship holds moments of love and moments of protection. When we feel hurt, unseen, or unsafe, we tend to fall into patterns that once helped us survive: being right, withdrawing, controlling, or overexplaining. These reactions aren’t failures; they’re the nervous system’s way of trying to protect the connection. Through an integrative process that weaves together Relational Life Therapy (RLT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and EMDR, I help members in the relationship notice the patterns that keep them stuck and reconnect with their calm, wise adult selves, the part of each person capable of empathy, accountability, and repair.

IFS, RLT, and EMDR in Relational Work

RLT: Vulnerability, Empathy, and Accountability
In Relational Life Therapy, truth and empathy go hand in hand. It’s not about assigning blame; it’s about learning how to stay open while being honest. I help relationships to uncover their “losing strategies”: being right, retaliation, controlling, withdrawing, or unbridled self-expression, that quietly erode connection, and replace them with “winning strategies” that build respect and safety. As each person learns to speak with care, take accountability without shame, and hold boundaries without guilt, the relationship begins to feel more alive and secure.

IFS & EMDR: Healing the Inner World That Shapes the Relationship
When old wounds or protective parts take over, it can make closeness feel hard to trust. Through IFS-informed EMDR, we take time to understand and honor these parts instead of pushing past them. As they feel seen and supported, the nervous system settles, and each person can meet the other from a place of calm and compassion rather than defense. That’s where genuine connection begins to grow.

Coming Back to Each Other