Amy Lemberger, MS, LMFT | amy@thelocicenter.com | 520-230-3584
Couples therapy and relationship counseling is an effective way to address pain from conflict, betrayal, and emptiness experienced from disconnection. I help partners get to the root of the issue and finally feel more connected, valued, and understood.
Ever wonder why the same issues keep coming up? Or your attempts to resolve the issues don't stick? I help couples break free of negative cycles, and feel more confident and secure in their relationship.
Common Relationship Issues
Couples therapy can address many relationship challenges such as communication and conflict, affairs or betrayal of trust, managing ADHD with your partner, sex and intimacy, and much more.
I see couples and partners in all forms and at all stages of commitment. This can include partners who have been together for 6 months, couples who are contemplating getting married after years of commitment, partners who are navigating becoming new parents, adjusting to a blended family, as well as partners who want to address years of conflict.
I am experienced with treating many issues that impact relationships, but I particularly have a lot of experience with affair recovery and treating betrayal related challenges. View my therapy services to see a list of common reasons people come in to see me.
Who Is Couples Therapy For?
Often people think that the problems need to be really severe before going to couples therapy. This is not the case. In fact the earlier you come in the more effective it can be. I see couples for short term therapy (3-8 sessions) when things generally feel good, but want to get ahead of negative cycles before it becomes overwhelming. There are many supports we can put in place to help your relationship thrive. Also, check out the mini-intensives offered to see if the skill building or premarital session is what you’re looking for.
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Although coming in early can be helpful, many couples come in after experiencing something tremendously painful, or after a long time of feeling stuck, alienated, and resentful. It’s actually common for couples to take several years of feeling this way before reaching out, and I completely understand. There is still hope. I help couples assess what happened, what led to feeling disconnected and angry, and what each partner hopes for in the future.
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You might feel unsure about what is possible, or what you need, but want to see if this relationship can be repaired. This is actually a very normal feeling at the beginning and I can help you untangle all the pieces that impact parts that feel painful. We will also look at your strengths, what brings you together, and motivates you to explore what’s possible. Your relationship goes through stages, and needs different things at each of those stages. Couples therapy will look at the entire system to identify where things feel stuck, and provide support for both individual and relationship growth.
Violence, power, and control are not safe in intimate relationships. If you are experiencing this in your relationship and need immediate support please call:
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Benefits of Couples Therapy
Couples therapy gives you the opportunity to repair and restore your relationship. If you have kids, they learn many emotional regulation skills from observing you. For this reason couples therapy can have profound impacts on your family’s well being as well as your personal satisfaction. When people feel disconnected from themselves and other people, it exacerbates depression, anxiety, trauma, and addiction.
When your relationship feels better, other parts of your life feel better. When you feel like you matter to someone you feel less alone, and more valued. Couples therapy helps you learn better ways to communicate so you feel understood and resolve problems. It also helps with repairing deep ruptures to trust, and can rebuild your sense of security and safety with your partner.
My Approach
As your relationship progresses your needs can change and it’s important to recognize what that means for each person. Many things unintentionally get in the way of having the partnership you desire, and I take careful consideration of these factors to unveil what is possible.
It’s important to me you feel comfortable, and not judged as we process what has led to you coming in. Attachment to your partner and feeling like you matter is essential for your bond to be healthy. I bring those same elements to our therapeutic relationship as we work together as I believe it lays a solid foundation to help you explore yourself and what can change. My approach is warm, and direct. After each session I want you to have a clear direction or focus on what you can do to make progress on your goals.
What To Expect in Couples Counseling
When you contact me the first thing I will want to do is set up a 30 minute consultation. This is free. I want you to have enough time to talk through what is bringing you to therapy, and ask any questions you have about this process. I also want to get more detail about what you want from our sessions so I can give you more specific ways I can help. I tell all my couples after the consultation that they can take as much time as they need to decide if they want to schedule, there is no pressure at the end to make a decision. I am available anytime after our consultation to schedule, offer resources, referrals, or follow up with additional questions.
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When we begin the first few sessions can feel like a lot of information giving. I’ve had many couples ask after the first session “what can we read?” or “what should we do about x?”. There are times I can give quick suggestions, because I know you’ve been sitting with this for so long before coming to the first appointment. To create lasting change it’s going to take me knowing more about your family history, your relationship history, and individual desires/goals to execute a plan that supports positive growth.
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I typically like to see couples once a week at least for the first 3 sessions, but this can be flexible. I often see people every other week, or every third week, etc to accommodate for work and family schedules. I will work with you on what frequency feels best. As things improve we generally put more time between appointments and eventually discontinue sessions.
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Privacy and confidentiality is maintained for all clients in a HIPAA compliant manner. AI is not utilized in any part of my sessions or documentation.
Book A Free Consultation
I offer in person and virtual outpatient therapy at an out of pocket rate. Discounted rates are available depending on your household income. Please contact me for more information.
Appointments and consultations can be scheduled during the morning, daytime, and evening hours, as well as Saturdays to accommodate busy schedules. Reach out to me directly about availability questions. Evening times typically are most requested, and I do my best to offer alternate times until a more ideal time opens up for you.