Healing Together

Strengthening Bonds, Deepening Connections, and Building Lasting Love

What is Couple’s Therapy?

Couples therapy, also known as relationship or marriage counseling, is a type of psychotherapy that helps romantic partners improve their relationships. It provides a safe, structured environment for couples to explore their feelings, address conflicts, and work through challenges. Through guided conversations and therapeutic techniques, couples can improve communication, rebuild trust, enhance emotional intimacy, and develop healthier patterns of interaction.

Dr. Rosilda Alves brings over three decades of experience in helping couples navigate relationship challenges, improve communication, and foster greater affection and empathy. Her approach to couples therapy is warm, direct, and focused on creating lasting, meaningful changes in romantic relationships.

WHY COUPLES THERAPY?

Couples therapy, also known as relationship or marriage counseling, is a type of psychotherapy that helps romantic partners improve their relationships. It provides a safe, structured environment for couples to explore their feelings, address conflicts, and work through challenges. Through guided conversations and therapeutic techniques, couples can improve communication, rebuild trust, enhance emotional intimacy, and develop healthier patterns of interaction.

Dr. Alves believes in highlighting the strengths within a relationship while addressing the patterns and dynamics that prevent couples from building a healthy, intimate bond. With her guidance, couples engage in thoughtful discussions designed to promote growth and enhance emotional connection.

One key element of Dr. Alves’s couples therapy approach is exploring how attachment styles and unresolved past experiences may be impacting the relationship. By addressing these underlying issues, couples can overcome obstacles and work toward a flourishing partnership built on trust and intimacy.

As part of her work with couples, Dr. Alves encourages clients to engage with additional resources to deepen their understanding of healthy relationships. She recommends that couples watch John Gottman’s video, “Making Marriage Work” on YouTube, and focus on the concept of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse discussed in the video, which are common predictors of relationship breakdown.

Additionally, Dr. Alves suggests listening to the audiobook, “The Secret of a Passionate Marriage” by David Schnarch, available on Amazon, to explore methods of reigniting passion and creating a stronger emotional bond between partners.

BENEFITS

    • Communication breakdowns
    • Trust issues
    • Infidelity
    • Emotional disconnect
    • Sexual difficulties
    • Managing life transitions (e.g., marriage, parenthood)
    • Conflict resolution

By focusing on the dynamics of the relationship, couples therapy aims to foster mutual understanding and strengthen the bond between partners. Whether the goal is to resolve ongoing issues, improve emotional connection, or work toward a more fulfilling relationship, couples therapy can be a transformative tool for both individuals and the partnership as a whole.

Enhanced Emotional Resilience: Faith can provide strength and comfort during challenging times.

Increased Optimism: A faith-based perspective can foster a more positive outlook on life.

Greater Sense of Purpose: Aligning therapy with spiritual beliefs can enhance one’s sense of purpose and direction.

Supportive Community: Engaging with faith communities can provide additional social support.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Couples therapy sessions are designed to provide a safe and supportive environment for both partners to openly express their feelings, concerns, and goals for the relationship.

Here’s what you can typically expect during the therapy process:

In the first few sessions, the therapist will take time to get to know both partners and understand the key issues affecting the relationship. This may involve discussing:

      • Relationship history
      • Current challenges
      • Individual and shared goals for therapy
      • Communication patterns and dynamics
      • Attachment styles and past experiences

This initial phase allows the therapist to develop a tailored treatment plan based on the unique needs of the couple.

Dr. Roslda Alves will help the couple identify both the strengths and the negative patterns in their relationship. These patterns may include poor communication habits, unresolved conflicts, or emotional barriers. The goal is to recognize what’s working and what’s not, and begin working on improving the areas of difficulty.

A large part of couples therapy focuses on improving communication. Couples will learn:

How to express thoughts and emotions effectively
Active listening skills
Conflict resolution strategies
Empathy and validation techniques
These skills will help partners better understand each other’s needs and communicate more constructively.

In many cases, deeper emotional issues such as unresolved trauma, attachment styles, or past relationship experiences may impact the current relationship. The therapist will help explore these deeper issues, allowing both partners to understand how they influence the relationship and work toward healing and resolution.

Therapy often includes practical exercises or “homework” for couples to work on between sessions. These may involve communication exercises, spending intentional time together, or reflecting on specific issues. For example, Dr. Rosilda Alves recommends couples watch John Gottman’s video, “Making Marriage Work”, and focus on the concept of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, as well as listening to “The Secret of a Passionate Marriage” audiobook.

Therapists guide couples through activities and conversations designed to rebuild and strengthen emotional and physical intimacy. By learning to connect more deeply, couples can reignite their passion, trust, and bond.

Couples therapy is not always about solving every problem immediately. It is about building healthier habits that foster growth over time. The therapist will support both partners in their journey, helping them work through difficulties as they arise and offering guidance for long-term relationship success.

It’s Never Too Late

Take the Next Step in Strengthening Your Relationship

Take the Next Step in Strengthening Your Relationship

Couples therapy offers the opportunity to rebuild, reconnect, and grow together. Whether you’re facing challenges or simply want to enhance your relationship, Dr. Rosilda Alves is here to guide you with compassionate expertise. By improving communication, addressing underlying issues, and fostering emotional intimacy, you and your partner can create a healthier, more fulfilling connection.

Get Started with Couples Therapy

Contact us today to schedule your first couples therapy session and take the first step towards a stronger, more loving relationship.

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Couples Therapy with Dr. Rosilda Alves