Relationship Counseling

Several CPC staff members specialize in providing counseling services for couples who are experiencing distress in their relationship. Often this distress is experienced through feelings of distance or emptiness, feelings of discouragement or anger, or loss of interest in being affectionate or in enjoying time spent together. The source of this dissatisfaction may be the result of a specific problem or an accumulation of hurt or frustration through the years.

The initial focus of marital therapy is to assist the couple in identifying the events or patterns which contribute to the conflict or distance they are experiencing. Next, the emphasis is on helping the couple more constructively address concerns and develop skills to establish new, more satisfying patterns in their marriage. This may involve learning new communication patterns, how to navigate conflict more constructively, how to make peace with past hurts, and tools to develop a stronger foundation for marital friendship and intimacy. The final stage of marriage counseling involves helping couples develop a plan to maintain their new direction and effectively manage future conflicts and stresses.

In some cases, one or both parties may decide that reconciliation is not possible and want assistance to deal constructively with the various challenges partners face in navigating the dissolution of their relationship. In addition to providing a setting where the necessary issues can be addressed, CPC staff offers a workshop, Beginning Again, for individuals who are divorcing where children are involved. Also, CPC staff participate as speakers in the Second Presbyterian Church Divorce Recovery program. Divorce has a real impact on all involved, and we seek to provide assistance in minimizing this impact and in facilitating the recovery process.

CPC staff is also available to assist families who may be experiencing conflict or to provide guidance for relationship stressors that might be negatively impacting a work-group or friendship.