Couples Counseling and Couples Relationship Therapist in West Orange, NJ
Dr. Tamara and Dr. Mark have worked successfully with many couples for over 25 years years!
Four types of couples seek our couples counseling services:
1. Those seeking pre-marital counseling; Or, singles seeking to find a partner.
2. Long term committed, non-married couples;
3. Married couples experiencing difficulties (see marriage counseling page).
4. Divorcing couples (see divorce counseling page).
Couples Therapy Before Marriage - Premarital Couples Counseling
Selection of a love partner is the most essential life-choice we make.
It determines whether our lives will be filled with happiness, contentment, love, connection and joy or conflict, anger, depression, worry, loneliness and divorce. So, what makes for a right or wrong choice?
Some choices are definitely wrong for your future well-being:
A physically and/or mentally abusive partner.
A partner who always makes excuses for all their problems.
Someone who lacks empathy.
Someone who has an active addiction to alcohol, drugs, sex, gambling or excessive spending and refuses to seek help.
Couples Therapy for long term committed non-married couples
The problems presented by long term, committed unmarried couples are similar to those of married couples.
Couples typically argue about:
Emotional insecurity (why doesn’t my partner want to marry me? Am I not enough?)
Physical intimacy (Too little . . . too much . . . how much is the right amount?)
Jealousy and infidelity (How can I trust that my partner is being faithful?)
Fear of arguing (My partner may leave if I voice how I truly feel…)
Parenting styles (One parent is too permissive; the other parent is too tough . . . who’s correct?)
Finances (One partner is tight-fisted, the other is a spender. How do you create a financial plan that honors the need to save with the need to enjoy life?)
Step-children (Blending families together, balancing the needs of husbands and wives along with the needs of the children, is the difficult task to master in subsequent marriages).
Couples therapy helps by providing:
A safe environment for all points of view to be heard, validated and considered
Communication skill building
Relationship skill building
Effective boundary setting and respect
Psycho-education about appropriate family roles and expectations
Wisdom and coaching from a neutral, professionally trained and highly experienced third party
