Issues I Commonly Address

Marriage and relationship counseling can deal with many different needs. Here are examples of the kinds of issues I help couples with. Topics are in alphabetical order. (Bold-faced type indicates those topics that are most frequently brought up to me on the first appointment. As we get to the root of those issues, we are often led to some of the other topics listed below.) If there is a topic that is of concern to you that is not listed on this page, feel free to call (425.821.3944) or email me.

Affairs
Anger
Blended family issues
Boundaries
Career vs. domestic issues* (e.g., conflicting demands, dual career, etc.)
Codependency and “ACOA” issues
Conflict resolution*
Communication* (the most frequently expressed need)
Crisis events*
Decision-making
Division of labor, responsibilities
Extended family issues*
Family of origin issues and their influence on present relationship(s)
Financial conflict*
Goal setting
Habits*
Infertility issues
Intimacy issues*, lack of intimacy, fear of intimacy
Lifestyle differences and changes
Mental health issues that may be affecting the relationship
Parenting issues*
Personal issues in either partner that affect the relationship (e.g., low self-esteem, guilt, shame, poor body image, fear of dependency, fear of abandonment, fear of intimacy, etc.)
Power and control issues*
Premarital counseling
Previous relationship issues and their influence on present relationship(s)
Roles
Sexual problems*
Spiritual issues
Transitions and changes* (adjusting to life transitions such as marriage, becoming parents, “empty nest,” retirement; and changes such as career, geographical location or social group)
Trust issues*, lack of trust, breaches of trust
Values, Standards, Preferences

*Bold-faced type indicates those issues that are most frequently brought by my clients as “presenting problems” on the first appointment. All of the topics listed are issues that come up frequently in my work with couples.