Great Couples Counseling in Oyster Bay Cove, NY. Therapy to heal relationships.

Dating. Engaged. Living together. Married. Couples in any place or stage of their relationship, experience a full range of experiences, feelings, expectations, and hopes that may or may not be fulfilled or fulfilling. You may discover that your values are different or that what you thought about your partner is different from what is. Perhaps you love your partner and relationship but find there are certain themes of conflict that arise. You can look at these themes or areas of conflict to become more in-line with each other, even in your differences. Being the same is not what makes for happy relationships. Being ACCEPTING of differences is what does.

Drawing close in intimacy in a couple can be challenging. Being close to another person can result in buttons getting pushed in areas of the self that were never resolved. Despite the challenge, we deeply want to feel intimacy in life. Intimacy in relationship, while often challenging, is one of the greatest opportunities for growth. Caring, compassionate communication between partners opens each person to deeper feeling, connection, and expression. These capacities are crucial for a fulfilled life. I help you learn genuine communication expressing your needs while respecting and caring for your partner. These fulfilling communications lead to a better relationship and a better life.

I aim to create a safe space where you and your partner can explore your feelings and concerns, as well as identify negative communication and behavior patterns that may be causing conflict. You can learn new skills for resolving disagreement and strengthen your connection. You can talk about your expectations, values, and goals for the relationship, as well as any past hurts or resentments that may be impacting your current dynamic. Together, we can focus on promoting healthy communication, building trust and intimacy, breaking unhealthy cycles, and ultimately enhance the quality of the relationship.

My approach to working with couples begins with seeing both clients together to gain an understanding of their dynamic as well as the individual issues (including family of origin) that have brought them into therapy. I then help them determine their goals as a couple and develop a treatment plan, including empathic listening, relationship exercises, and communications counseling, that will help them achieve their objectives.

What are the most common couples' issues? If you are thinking "communication, conflict, sex, money, child rearing" you are correct. However, most therapists will go after the symptom on each side of the couple fence thinking that the way to effective change is by getting each party to "work" on their respective "issue". Many times the parties dont agree but comply. Imagine if you could align the unconscious brains of a couple and stop the "working on your issues" part that has become so popular in therapy settings? Contact kevin@kevinflemingphd.com to learn how! Or call 877-606-6161 DR. FLEMING'S NEW RELATIONSHIP/COUPLES INTENSIVES www.kevinflemingphd.com/marriage-couples-retreats.php

Working with couples individually/collaboratively without blame or shame, assisting partners in understanding their role in the conflict, has been a primary focus of my 30+ years of clinical practice. I teach couples that there is no right way to live.The framework and ingredients are defined by each person in the relationship. Connection, not control, engagement, not enmeshment allow for ongoing individual growth and relationship capacity. Personal awareness, acknowledgement, new attitudes and behavioral action all contribute to building a bridge between partners. I assist my clients as they look to themselves not the other to create ongoing growth, capacity and fulfillment of commitment.