Couples Counseling
We believe in your marriage and we will equip you to make it better than ever.
Couples Counseling
We believe in your marriage and we will equip you to make it better than ever.
We believe in marriage.
We believe we have a Creator who sees a bigger picture and purpose for marriage than our momentary comfort and pleasure. We believe marriage is a commitment worth fighting for and investing in.
We consider it an honor to work with couples through the complex dynamics of marriage in hopes of healing hurts, restoring faith and trust, learning healthy communication, and rediscovering intimacy.
Couples Counseling Creates spaces to:
Experience Relief
Couples frequently report experiencing some relief after their first session.
Connect
Once we define what’s happening to cause conflict and discomfort, we begin to clear the fog and find a new way to connection and teamwork.
Improve Communication
Being heard, understood, and validated helps us de-escalate and opens our mind to hear our partner.
Plan
We have a plan and a roadmap for couples and it doesn’t have to take years or thousands of dollars to experience relief and find camaraderie with your partner again.
Will this work?
The Married Life Approach
Two becoming one – marriage is something most of us long for and work hard to get. When confusion and conflict pervade and one or both partners want out of the marriage the pain and heartache are unbearable.
Have you tried marriage or couples counseling before and found the therapist was more of a mediator or audience while the two of you bickered? Or have you experienced blame and an unfair sense of responsibility while your partner came out looking like the “good guy”? We believe both individuals have valid perspectives that need to be acknowledged in order for the marriage to thrive. Married Life counseling aims to explore and discover the deeper dynamics happening between a couple when conflict and misunderstandings take over.
“A great marriage is not when the ‘perfect couple’ comes together.
It is when an imperfect couple learns to enjoy their differences.”
– Dave Meurer
Are we a fit?
Work With Us
We work with newlyweds and nest-builders all the way up to the empty-nesters and golden agers! Most human beings have this in common- a desire to love and be loved. That brings us together and builds a foundation for the counselor and client to collaborate. We find the best outcomes with folks who are willing to take 100% responsibility for themselves and their part in the “tango”.
Ready to get started?
Our Process
We believe marriage counseling is for ALL couples because it’s such a significant relationship. We make it easy and even fun! Counseling isn’t always heavy and hard, you’ll find laughter and humor as we dive into personalities and stories that are unique to you.
1
Schedule Appointment
Sometimes, the hardest part of creating lasting change is taking the first step. We’re here to make that easier by answering your questions and helping you find the right clinician to meet your needs. To schedule your first appointment, all we need are a few details: your name, email address, phone number, and a credit card to secure the booking. If you're scheduling for both yourself and your partner, please provide a separate email address and phone number for them as well. We'd love to chat and guide you through the process.
2
Complete Paperwork
All intake forms are sent to your email, giving you access to your private, confidential client portal. Allow 30 to 60 minutes to complete all forms. This is an important step because it helps give us an overview of what’s happening and prepare for your first session. The client portal provides you with 24/7 access to all of your paperwork, invoices, scheduling, worksheets, and handouts.
3
Meet with Your Counselor
In the first appointment, we’ll get to know each other, create a genogram, (a quick diagram that illustrates your family members, history, and relationships), and explore what’s happening today. We’ll begin to formulate a plan to move forward and you’ll receive handouts, suggestions, and resources for next steps that apply to your specific situation.
Resources for Married Couples
Books
The Seven Principles of Making Marriage Work
by Dr. John Gottman
Created for Connection
by Dr. Sue Johnson & Kenneth Sanderfer
God, Sex, and Your Marriage
by Juli Slattery
Marriage Intensives
For couples in crisis, separated, or considering divorce, we recommend considering a marriage intensive.
Inquire about marriage intensives with Christie Orosz, LPCC-S by contacting our Office Intake Coordinator at 234-303-2325.
Hope Restored – A Marriage Intensive Experience by Focus on the Family
Articles for Married Couples
Why Your Husband Yells and How to Break the Cycle
Why Your Husband Yells and How to Break the Cycle If we're being honest, most of us yell because, in the moment, it works. A raised voice gets attention fast. When someone feels unheard, yelling can feel like the only way to make sure someone listens. So, what...
Marriage and Menopause
Marriage and Menopause: Finding Your Way Back to Each Other Through a Time That Threatens to Pull You Apart I'm going to be honest with you from the start: I'm in the thick of perimenopause right now. One minute I'm fine, and the next I'm The Incredible Hulk,...
Benefits and Limitations of Online Therapy
The Benefits and Limitations of Online Therapy Why Akron-Area Couples Should Consider Sitting in the Same Room Over the past several years, online therapy has gone from a niche convenience to one of the most common ways couples across the country seek help. It's easy...
Marriage Counseling for Emotional Affair
Marriage Counseling Can Help If Your Husband Is Having an Emotional Affair The Fallout of an Emotional Affair Something feels off. Maybe it’s the way he tilts his phone away when you walk into the room. Or the way he mentions her name — a...
How to Rebuild Intimacy in Marriage
How to Rebuild Intimacy in Marriage When You Feel Disconnected When the closeness you once shared feels lost, rebuilding connection starts with understanding, vulnerability, and choosing each other again. Hello there! Are you experiencing a lack of intimacy in...
What Is the Gottman Method?
What Is the Gottman Method? A Marriage Counselor Explains How It Helps Couples Reconnect "We love each other, but we feel more like roommates than partners." "Every conversation seems to turn into an argument." "I know my spouse loves me, but I don't feel...
Couples Counseling
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s your success rate?
We are currently working on tracking outcomes with our clients. In the meantime, counseling is a highly collaborative process. We will frequently check in with you to assess what is working and what isn’t, and we’ll adjust and adapt as needed. We find high success with individuals who are willing to try, be teachable, humble, and patient.
How long will counseling take?
We ask couples to commit to weekly counseling for 6-8 weeks. At that point, we will reassess. Some couples “graduate” and return as needed, while others discover that childhood wounds or other diagnoses are impacting their current realities. These couples may choose to continue working together to deepen their healing and restoration.
What do we do after our first session?
After your first session, and after most sessions, we ask you to review any handouts provided and give them a try. We often provide support outside of the counseling office, including books, podcasts, worksheets, YouTube videos, and more. Unfortunately, we are not miracle workers; you have work to do outside of the counseling office! We will also provide gentle accountability by following up with you on the goals and challenges from your last session.
What if my spouse isn’t willing to participate?
There’s still hope! You have influence, and the changes you make individually can greatly impact your partner. Please speak with us about your situation, and we’ll work with you on a plan.
We’ve done marriage counseling before and all the blame was put on my shoulders. How will this experience be any different?
First of all, we understand and have seen this dynamic play out many times, both personally and professionally. Rather than blaming each other, we work to identify and address the cycle and emotional triggers occurring between partners. When we misbehave, there’s often a reason behind the behavior. We’ll explore this by creating a safe and supportive environment to uncover the hurts, wounds, and misunderstandings “below the surface.” We will also check in with you frequently to ensure we are addressing your concerns. If one partner feels blamed and overly responsible, we want to know and understand what’s happening.
How do we pay for your services?
Please see our general Frequently Asked Questions page for information on how much a session costs, our insurance, and other financial policies.