How I Work

Not a referee.
Not a judge.

Couples therapy often treats partners like siblings — everyone gets what they want except when they trade it away in a “compromise,” then get taught a therapist’s view of what is fair. My work is different. I am interested in something more natural, dynamic, and alive than a contract both of you are policed by.

How do I do this?

There are three living parts
to couples therapy.

You  ·  Your partner  ·  The relationship

In every couple there are three entities that need separate attention and make separate demands — just as with children, a home, or hosting people you love. One partner, the other partner, and the relationship itself each have distinct needs, each have ways they work whether we like it or not, and each require attention and security. How we treat that “third” — the relationship — is essential to mutual respect between partners.

When the relationship is tended as a living third, partners can share a life without disappearing into each other. That is the container the rest of the work depends on.

The relationship itself has its own nervous system. When it is tended, something can actually move.
Non-verbal communication and felt security

Your nonverbal communication
is double speak.

The nervous system speaks before the mouth does — and partners feel it.

Not just the words. The micro-shifts. The way one body flinches before the other finishes the sentence. Couples uniquely share physical space, touch, and connection — which is why partners can so deeply affect each other’s sense of safety, passion, and heart.

This is why talking alone will not affect enough of the connection partners share. Sharing is always dynamic; rules are not. Trust and safety are the container for collaborative creating inside any relationship.

In the room we work somatically too — with instinct, posture, breath, and the body’s trained alert system — so connection can be felt, not only explained. The body is the highway by which relationship packages move between you. An unavailable body halts support for yourselves and from yourselves to each other.

Questions

Common questions
people ask me.

These come up often. If you have something else on your mind, ask when you reach out.

No. One or both people can be reluctant. I welcome reluctance. Resistance to therapy is not an issue, but it may slow things and does have an effect. Without trust, change is difficult — and it is natural to be resistant to sharing your personal life’s issues with anyone. That can be healthy and appropriate.
Yes. Some couples come because of difficulties and challenges. Others come because they want to more deeply understand their partner. Some because they want to strengthen their relationship for whatever comes next. Therapy and mental health are very similar to the body. Sometimes you tear something and need surgery; sometimes you need a physical therapist for retraining patterns; sometimes just massage to loosen and improve quality of life; and sometimes a trainer so that when it's time to do some heavy lifting — you are ready to do it together.
Great — this is common. Individual therapy often leads to couples therapy and vice versa. Individual change demands relationship change, and if you change your relationship you will both be given the opportunity to change yourself. This is one of the advantages of depth-oriented work. There are times you or I may ask to speak with the other therapist — this will never be done without your consent, and only if you yourself believe it to be a helpful and wanted conversation. I'm here as a resource.
Most plans do not cover couples therapy. I am out of network. If your plan has out-of-network benefits, I can provide a superbill. Call them first to check.
There is no standard. Some couples find what they came for in six months. Others stay longer because the work keeps opening something useful. It depends on what you are working with and what you both want out of therapy. I will tell you what I believe as we go — I am very upfront and honest.
I do not talk about clients in my personal life. Even receiving consult — which I will do with other professionals such as body workers or therapists with specialties — I will never mention any information that can identify you in any way.

If this feels like the kind of attention
your relationship has been waiting for.

A conversation to talk about where you are and whether this work might fit. No commitment required.

Let's talk →
816-609-0782
Overland Park, KS
In-person & telehealth

Adults

Couples

Children

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