Couples Therapy
The space between two
Relationships are skills — and skills can be learned.
Wellness tool — not medical care. In a crisis, call 911 or 988. More resources.
What couples work helps with
- •Improve communication
- •Resolve conflicts in healthier ways
- •Rebuild trust and intimacy
- •Strengthen your emotional connection
- •Create a more supportive, loving relationship
Tools you can try together
Soft start-up
Start hard conversations with "I feel ___ when ___, and I need ___" — never "You always" or "You never." The first 3 minutes predict the next 3 hours.
The 5:1 ratio
Healthy couples have 5 positive interactions for every 1 negative one. Today, send one appreciation, give one genuine compliment, and offer one small affection. Track it for a week.
Repair attempts
When tension rises, try: "Can we start over?" or "I'm getting flooded — give me 20 minutes." Repair attempts work only if BOTH partners agree to honor them ahead of time.
Weekly check-in (15 min)
Once a week, each partner answers: 1) What worked between us this week? 2) What didn't? 3) What do I need next week? No interruptions. No defending — just listening.
The 6-second kiss
A 6-second kiss daily releases oxytocin and re-bonds you. It's long enough to actually feel each other. Try it.
For ongoing struggles, a trained couples therapist (Gottman, EFT, or IMAGO-trained) can help you go deeper than self-practice allows.