Couples & Premarital Therapy
in Prairie Village, KS
We are formed, broken and healed in relationship with others.
“When I see one of you reach with care for the other I get goosebumps knowing you are starting to truly see one another.”
-Josie Leonard, MA, LPC
We keep going round and round with the same conversation, only with different words and resulting in the same hurt.
Couples
You’ve put so much work into your relationship, yet you seem to have lost each other and maybe even yourself along the way. You’re so worried that you’re losing the most important relationship in your life, but you don’t know what else to do. What if I asked you, just for a moment, to imagine that your partner is so scared of failing you that they are actually shutting down out of fear of losing you? What if I told you that beneath your partner shutting down there are good reasons for this? Both of you hold stories in ways that you’ve coped with life and feelings before your relationship even began. And in those stories there are fears that need to be explored and understood.
That fear, the activation, the chaos of those difficult moments….it is so hard to slow down and be curious to see the patterns that are unfolding, what each other needs, and to understand the emotional cycles at a deeper level. That is where I come in. Our work will be gentle and intentional allowing us to slow things down and get curious about the good reasons why you get stuck. Together we begin to understand how each of you relates to your own emotions and how that impacts how you relate to one another. We explore the patterns, why they exist and what they look like in the context of your relationship. We will engage deeply with each of your stories to understand what is below the surface and explore what is jamming things up today.
This therapy is not a quick fix. But in my heart I hold that with a deeper understanding of what’s below the surface for your partner, a strong sense of compassion develops and allows each of you to show up in meaningful ways for one another in those chaotic moments. My hope is that you’ll be able to talk about the things that felt daunting or too overwhelming to previously tackle and that you will be able to unbury that love each of you holds for one another.
I also offer premarital counseling for couples building their life together — learn more here.
No two relationships or healing journeys look the same.
Together we will walk through these phases.
We work to bring safety back into your relationship so you’re able to be vulnerable in new ways with each other.
01 Safety
We slow down in the painful parts and the stories of your relationship and I’ll guide you to create meaning of what needs you have in those moments that are falling flat.
02 Truth
With this new awareness you are able to see your partner’s needs and have compassion for why they exist. You then want to move towards them and help them, knowing your needs will also be met. Here new communication emerges fostering reconnection.
03 Connection
When those difficult moments show up, you will have the ability to find your way back to one another and work through the disconnected parts.
04 Versatility
Frequently Asked Questions
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Choosing the right therapist to reveal your biggest insecurities to can feel daunting and extremely vulnerable. Part of the reason I offer a complimentary discovery call is to give you the opportunity to ask me any questions you have and get an idea of what I am like. Undoubtedly, the foundation to a successful therapeutic relationship is trust and honesty where core safety can emerge. If, for whatever reason, either one of us doesn’t feel like I am the best person to support you and your partner, I am happy to provide trusted referrals.
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Ultimately you’re in charge of how long you are in therapy. We will know you’re ready when you both feel deeply connected to one another and understand and act on each other’s needs in the difficult moments. From my experience, this can take weekly sessions that last between 1-3 years.
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My approach to therapy is relational because I firmly believe we are formed, broken and healed in and through relationship with others. Through my active involvement and accepting demeanor, my hope is you feel like you’re sitting across from a trusted friend and we establish the safety you and your partner need to be vulnerable in new ways.
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I request that each of you submit your intake paperwork at least one day before your first session. I will reach out with any questions I have before we meet in person for the first time. Then, you will come to my Prairie Village office at your session time and we will begin getting to know one another as we explore what is bringing you to counseling. I will then meet each of you individually one time to better understand you outside of your relationship. And then we come back together and continue meeting weekly for 60 minute sessions to begin our deeper work. After our first 5-6 sessions we will assess how things are going together to be sure we are a good fit for one another. If we determine we are not, I am happy to provide trusted referrals.
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Core Counseling KC does not currently accept insurance. I'm happy to provide a monthly superbill if you'd like to seek out-of-network reimbursement. See my full Rates & Insurance page for details on cost, payment, and why I work this way.
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Core Counseling KC does not currently accept insurance. I'm happy to provide a monthly superbill if you'd like to seek out-of-network reimbursement. See why I work this way on my Rates & Insurance page and how it may benefit you.
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