11555 Heron Bay Blvd #242, Parkland, FL 33076
Tag Archives: marriage
Can Relationship Counseling Work with Just One Person?
I cannot tell you how many times, I either get a call or see someone in person and the first thing they say to me is, “I have wanted to come for awhile but my partner would not come so I got tired of waiting and came myself.” My answer is always, good for you and I can honestly say that coming for yourself will help you improve yourself and your relationship. Do you believe me? Let’s look at the reasons
1. The ripple effect: I explain this effect a lot and it was introduced to me early in my schooling when you drop a rock into the water and it skims on the surface it creates a ripple. The same thing happens when you start to make changes within yourself, you and those around you will benefit from those changes, sometimes for the better and sometimes it works the opposite way and you realize you are not happy and end things. Regardless, change occurs.
2. Your partner is always present: The goal in couple’s therapy is to stay neutral and listen to both sides equally and give sound advice. Its harder to do with one person but doable. Any of my clients can tell you that I side with the one that makes the most sense but in a couple both sides are right and a compromise is always obtainable with the right way to look at a situation.
3. Adding your partner later: This one has to do with the first two and usual happens if the person in therapy is making positive changes and the other partner wants to come and work. At least one person should be in the therapy room and be working on the relationship.
Coming to therapy is a hard, long decision that most people do not make lightly. When you are angry, you want change but you are unsure how to go about it. Therapy can help untangle things and work-out what needs to really be worked on. Trust me it works whether it’s with one person or two. Just make the call and try and see where it leads you!
Relationship Seminar
On Wednesday evening, I had the opportunity to put on relationship seminar for some people in my community. Please enjoy the recorded video below.
Dr. Jennifer Lagrotte, DMFT, LMFT, LMHC is a family therapist in Coral Springs Florida, has been in practice since 2004 and a pioneer in online therapy solutions. With offices centrally located in Coral Springs Florida, she offers webcam and other convenient, online options in addition to conventional office visits. She specializes in families, couples and parental issues.
Once a month, Dr. Lagrotte will be holding therapy seminars at Congregation Kol Tikvah in Parkland, Florida and is free for all who attend. In addition, she will be publishing recordings of the seminars on her website in the seminars section at facetofacetherapy.com/seminars/
Affection
Okay, so I have two children and I have noticed lately that both of them show affection differently. I was curious if they really show affection differently or do I respond to them in different ways. I have one child who is as reserved as reserved can be, getting a hug out of her is a major accomplishment, then the other child is blowing kisses, reaching for hugs and always showing affection. I give them equal attention, show them equal affection and constantly tell them that I love them. I kiss and hug them all the time and when I get hugs and kisses back it makes my day. I am not a believer in pushing for affection so if I ask for a kiss and I get shut down, I am okay with it.
I was reading an article recently and the pro’s and cons of pushing for affection and I believe this is a charged issue with parents. I think about parents that give and give affection without getting anything in return such as with autistic children and then of course I feel bad about my need for affection. Bottom line for me is that I do know that both my children love me and they always know I love them, so the big question remains?
Should you force affection or take what you get?