Whether your relationship is entering an exciting new chapter or in need of in-depth repair, therapy can help.

A long-term relationship with a partner takes trust, compassion, and hard work, no matter if you’re a few months or a few decades into it. Two people bring their experiences, values, and expectations into it, creating an opening for growth, joy, and increased self-awareness, or resentment, frustration, and grief. 

Wherever you are on that spectrum, couples counseling opens a window to connection– it promotes honesty, teaches you and your partner practical communication skills, and gives you a safe environment to be vulnerable. 

Over time, counseling can allow you and your partner to understand each other better, view each other with compassion, and form a stronger connection.

You may be thinking, “I already know the problems present in my relationship. What’s the point of therapy?” One of our professional couples’ counselors will help you have discussions which move past the circular conversations you may be having, into the actual problem-solving or relational repair you and your partner need. Over time, the goal is for both partners to see each other through a compassionate lens, shedding emotional baggage and moving towards mutual appreciation and care. 

Couples counseling arms you with one of the most powerful relationship tools: curiosity about your partner.

Our couples therapists are experienced in treating every kind of relationship issue, so please don’t think that your problems are too “boring” or too “extreme”— we’re here to help. 

Inner Balance therapists are trained in the most effective modalities for couples therapy, including Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Gottman Method, and sex therapy.

As a result of couples therapy, you may find yourself:

  • Forging new patterns of growth and intimacy

  • Looking forward to one-on-one time with your partner

  • Navigating old points of conflict in new ways where you can see and hear each other

  • Feeling empowered with new communication and boundary-setting skills 

  • Feeling more fully seen and cared for by your partner

  • Making life plans together

  • Experiencing more pleasure in your sexual relationship with your partner

  • Able to address old injuries between the two of you with compassion and love

  • Gaining self-awareness and self-acceptance, making you a better partner and person

Premarital counseling

Preparing for marriage can be an exciting and joyous time, however, it can also inspire feelings of anxiety, stress, and overwhelm. Whether you have never felt stronger in your relationship, or you have some concerns you need to address, premarital counseling can help lay a solid foundation for your marriage. In working with an Inner Balance therapist, you can explore critical topics about relationships and marriage:

  • Healthy communication patterns and conflict resolution

  • Identifying strengths and areas of growth

  • Addressing potential challenges

  • Financial planning

  • Handling in-laws 

  • Personal and shared goals

  • Intimacy

  • Views on children or parenting

Premarital counseling can help identify and resolve potential issues before they escalate, strengthen your relationship, and enhance a deeper emotional connection with your partner.

Sex and Intimacy Therapy

Often partners feel frustrated and hurt because of sexual dysfunction in their relationship but have no idea where to start in addressing it. Desire discrepancies,

relationship dynamics, and communication patterns all play a role in satisfying intimacy. Mental roadblocks like guilt or shame, anxiety, harmful cultural or religious messages, societal factors, family beliefs, body image concerns, internalized beliefs about gender identity/sexual orientation, among others, are just some of the psychological factors that can impair intimacy with your partner.

An Inner Balance Therapist can help guide you and your partner in exploring what factors are impacting your intimacy and teach skills to communicate with each other in a healthy way. Your therapist can also equip you with psychoeducation on healthy sex and assign homework exercises to improve intimacy by building trust and connection. 

Many clients are intimidated or afraid to start sex therapy, however, each of our therapists makes every effort to provide a safe and nonjudgmental environment - all sexual concerns and topics are welcome in the therapy room. In taking this important step in your relationship, you and your partner can feel empowered about your sexual health, strengthen your connection and intimacy, and improve your overall well-being.