Fortis Offers:
Couples Therapy & Marriage Counseling
At night, as you lie in bed, there's a lingering question about whether your partner will truly understand your pain. Unfortunately, they don't, leaving you with a sense of isolation, insignificance, and lack of appreciation. The love that was once strong has dwindled, and now it feels as if you're merely coexisting as roommates. Attempts to discuss your concerns with your partner either result in them overlooking your pain or escalating into arguments. This pushes you both further apart and increases the sense of loneliness. The burden of the pain has become unbearable, and you realize you can't continue like this.
If you're in Kansas or Missouri and experiencing these challenges, consider seeking support from Fortis with Couples Therapy in Ottawa, KS. Our therapists can help you and your partner navigate these difficult times. All while rediscovering the connection and understanding you once shared.
Common Reasons Why Couples Initiate Couples Therapy and Marriage Counseling in Liberty, MO
The decision to embark on therapy is a significant one, as each couple's dynamics are unique, and signs of relationship distress manifest in various ways.
Here are several indicators that it might be the right time to consider couples therapy or marriage counseling:
Communication between you and your partner is challenging.
Despite your efforts to improve the relationship, nothing seems to yield positive results.
There is a lack of quality time spent together, with work taking precedence.
Instead of confiding in your partner, you find yourself discussing your struggles with family and friends.
The thought of having an affair crosses your mind, or one or both of you have experienced infidelity.
Disagreements arise concerning significant life decisions.
Conversations between you frequently escalate into arguments.
You discover that you are keeping secrets from your partner.
The Fortis Approach to Couples Therapy and Marriage Counseling in Olathe, KS
Romantic love is no longer a mystery. Most arguments and conflicts are really protests against emotional disconnection. We will help you identify negative patterns that create disconnection and conflict for you, your partner, and/or your family.
Ultimately, the goal of couples therapy and marriage counseling is to help you respond to your partner’s emotional needs and help them respond to yours. This will help you both feel valued and accepted. Our couples therapists can help you get to this point.
In therapy, we will you, your partner, and/or your family de-escalate and not feel so upset. Then, we will assist you in learning new ways to communicate and connect with your partner to foster emotional accessibility and responsiveness.
OUR MARRIAGE THERAPISTS ARE TRAINED IN EFT AND THE HOLD ME TIGHT PROGRAM
At Fortis, we use Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and the Hold Me Tight Program. EFT is a short-term treatment approach to marriage counseling that was developed in the 1980s by Dr. Sue Johnson. Research has been conducted on the efficacy of EFT. This research has found that 75% of couples report reduced distress, and 90% report significant improvement. During EFT couples will first identify the interaction that creates disconnection which is often called "the dance." creates. This will help both partners understand each other’s fears and emotional responses. In the end, this creates a relationship in which both partners and family members feel safe to risk with each other.
We provide services to all individuals, couples, and families without discrimination on the basis of race, age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, disability, gender, health status, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or relationship status.
Qualities to Look for in a Marriage Counselor
Specialized Training:
When seeking guidance for your marriage, it's crucial to select a counselor with specialized training in couples therapy.
A counselor equipped with expertise in this area understands the intricacies of romantic relationships. As well as communication dynamics and conflict resolution techniques tailored specifically for couples.
Their specialized training enables them to navigate the complexities of marriage dynamics effectively. This provides targeted interventions and strategies to help you and your partner overcome challenges. All while strengthening your bond.
Objectivity:
Objectivity is paramount in the realm of marriage counseling. Thus, your chosen counselor should maintain a non-biased stance throughout the therapeutic process.
A neutral perspective allows them to assess your relationship dynamics objectively, without favoring one partner over the other.
This impartiality fosters an environment of trust and openness. Which facilitates productive dialogue and ensures that both partners feel heard and validated.
A non-biased counselor can guide you both towards constructive resolutions, free from undue influence or prejudice.
Attachment & Systems Theories:
An understanding of attachment theory and systems theory is essential for a marriage counselor to effectively address the underlying dynamics within your relationship.
Attachment theory provides insights into how individuals form emotional bonds and patterns of interaction, which profoundly influence romantic relationships.
Meanwhile, systems theory offers a framework for understanding how various elements within a relationship interconnect and influence one another.
A counselor well-versed in these theories can help you and your partner recognize and address recurring patterns, fostering healthier communication, emotional intimacy, and relational satisfaction.
Common Topics Discussed in Couples Therapy in Leavenworth, KS
Emotional connection:
In couples therapy, exploring emotional connection involves delving into the depth of intimacy and closeness between partners. It focuses on understanding how each individual feels understood, valued, and supported within the relationship.
Therapists help couples identify patterns of communication and behavior that enhance or inhibit emotional connection. This offers tools and exercises to foster deeper emotional bonds.
Emotional accessibility:
Couples therapy addresses the ability of each partner to be emotionally present and responsive to the other's needs.
It involves examining barriers that hinder emotional accessibility, such as past traumas or communication styles. All while working towards creating a safe environment where both partners feel comfortable expressing their feelings and vulnerabilities without fear of judgment or rejection.
Common goals for the relationship:
Couples therapy encourages couples to explore and articulate shared goals for their relationship. These goals can include building trust, fostering intimacy, or navigating major life transitions together. Therapists facilitate discussions to align individual values and aspirations. This helps couples develop a unified vision for their future. As well as provide them with strategies to achieve mutual satisfaction and fulfillment.
Communication skills:
Effective communication is essential for healthy relationships. Couples therapy focuses on improving communication skills to resolve conflicts. As well as express needs and desires and deepen understanding between partners. Therapists teach techniques such as active listening, assertive expression, and empathetic communication. This guides couples to communicate with honesty, respect, and empathy.
Relationship injuries (secrets, infidelity):
Couples therapy provides a supportive space for partners to address past hurts and betrayals. These include topics such as secrets or infidelity, which can undermine trust and intimacy. Therapists facilitate honest and constructive conversations to uncover underlying issues. As well as repair breaches of trust and rebuild the foundation of the relationship. This is done through forgiveness, accountability, and rebuilding trust.
Sex and intimacy:
In couples therapy, discussions about sex and intimacy focus on understanding each partner's needs, desires, and boundaries. As well as addressing any challenges or obstacles to sexual fulfillment. Therapists help couples explore issues that may affect intimacy. These issues include mismatched libidos, sexual preferences, or unresolved conflicts. This offers guidance and techniques to enhance connection and intimacy in the bedroom and beyond.
How to Prepare for Your Couples Counseling Appointment
Here are 5 tips for couples who want to prepare for their first couples therapy session with a couples therapist at Fortis:
Be Honest and Transparent:
During the session, be honest about your feelings, concerns, and experiences in the relationship. Avoid withholding information or sugarcoating issues, as this can hinder the therapeutic process.
Practice Active Listening:
Listen attentively to your partner's perspective without interrupting or becoming defensive. Reflect back what you hear to ensure understanding and validation.
Be Open to Feedback:
Be receptive to feedback from the therapist, even if it's uncomfortable to hear. Remember that the therapist's goal is to help both of you grow and improve your relationship.
Be Ready to Take Some Emotional Risks:
Emotions are an important part of our relationship. Be ready to share some emotion in your first therapy session. This doesn’t have to be something really deep, just a little as if you are dipping your toe in a swimming pool.
Maintain Confidentiality:
Respect the confidentiality of the therapy sessions. Refrain from discussing the details with others, unless both partners agree otherwise. This creates a safe space for open dialogue and vulnerability.
By following these tips, couples can approach their first therapy session with a sense of preparedness and openness. This lays the foundation for a productive and transformative therapeutic journey.
Revitalize Your Relationship with Marriage Counseling and Couples Therapy in Ottawa, KS with Fortis Today!
At Fortis, we specialize in guiding you toward a reinvigorated connection in your relationship. Our team of couples therapists and marriage counselors are dedicated to fostering a sense of closeness, support, and acceptance between you and your partner. We strive to ensure that your pain is acknowledged and comforted. While recognizing that the essence of your relationship deserves to be rediscovered. Our goal is to help you regain that profound love and reconnect as best friends through Couples Therapy in Ottawa, KS.
Beyond our roles as therapists, we deeply care for each client within our team, a fundamental aspect of our treatment model. We prioritize creating a comfortable space for open communication. Which emphasizes your safety and trust in our sessions. All our couples therapists are highly trained. We employ research-backed approaches to ensure that the time and energy you invest in counseling are truly valuable. Your journey with us is not just about counseling; it's about making every moment count towards the positive transformation of your relationship. Follow the steps below to begin here with us:
Reach out to schedule an intake session.
Speak with a compassionate marriage counselor or couples therapist.
Create lasting, positive change in your relationship!
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Complete the form below:
Other Therapy Services Offered in Leavenworth, Overland Park, Ottawa, KS, and throughout Kansas and Missouri
If you're looking for therapy services beyond Couples Therapy and Marriage Counseling, Fortis offers a range of options to support your mental health and well-being. Our therapists specialize in a variety of areas, including individual therapy, EMDR therapy, family therapy, and trauma therapy. Whether you're dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, or trauma, our team is here to provide you with the compassionate care and effective strategies you need to thrive. With Fortis, you can find the support you need to overcome life's challenges and live a more fulfilling life.
