How We Help: Couples Therapy

What is Couples Therapy?

Couples therapy is a form of therapy used to treat relationship distress. It is a type of therapy that addresses the couple’s relationship, and supports each member to explore and understand their similarities and differences, with respect and compassion for themselves and their partner.

Understanding ourselves, and what gets evoked in a relationship, can sometimes be a mystery. In couples therapy we explore in a safe, supportive and respectful environment, our patterns of relating, and beliefs about ourselves and each other in a relationship. Our couples therapists work to help couples increase connectedness, resolve conflict, take responsibility for themselves, deepen intimacy and work through stages of life challenges.

Do we have to be married to attend?

Absolutely not! The therapists at Blue Oak Therapy Center work with people at all stages of their relationship from those who are newly dating to people who have been together for decades. Blue Oak Therapy Center Therapists welcome couples and families of all sexual and gender orientations and relationship configurations. We are interested in helping people get greater satisfaction from their relationship.

What issues might be addressed in Couples Therapy?

• Emotional enmeshment or estrangement.
• Not feeling like you are on the same page.
• Trouble with intimacy.
• Sexual concerns.
• Communication concerns.
• Fighting excessively.
• Impact of trauma.
• Overly critical or withholding what is important to you.
• Desire to strengthen your commitment to each other.
• Exploring ways to have increased satisfaction.
• Navigating recovery from sexual abuse.
• Recovery for one or both of the partners from an addiction.
• The presence of depression, anxiety, bipolar or other mental illness in one or both partners.
• Parenting.
• Adoption.
• Parenting a special needs child.
• Longing to rekindle love, passion and excitement.

Will my Couples Therapist ask me to attend individual therapy?

If during the therapy process, it becomes apparent that one or both partners may be struggling with individual issues that would be best supported in personal (individual) therapy, the couples therapist will make a referral for adjunctive therapy and discuss this with the couple.

To learn more about couples psychotherapy services at Blue Oak Therapy Center please call 510.649.9818 and we will be happy to answer any questions you might have.

© Blue Oak Therapy Center
3101 Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94705    Phone: (510) 649-9818
Clinical director is Stuart Sovatsky, PhD, MFT Licensed #MFC 19173.