FAQs

Many times one member of a couple is willing to go to treatment and another is not. This does not mean that the relationship can't still be worked on. At MRC, we believe change can take place on many different levels, be it individual, couple, or family. We utilize many of the same treatments for individuals which include: Internal Family Systems, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Family Systems Theory, Emotion Focused Therapy, and others.

For those who are also in couples or family therapy, there may be a need to work on individual problems as well. Some of these problems may include:

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Depression and Anxiety

Low Self-Esteem

Bipolar Disorder

Borderline Personality Disorder

Self-Destructive Behavior

Stress Management

Recovery from Addictions

Grief and Loss

Balancing Work and Home

Sexual Issues

Couples therapy focuses on the problems existing in the relationship between two people. But, these relationship problems always involve individual symptoms and problems, as well as the relationship conflicts. For example, if you are constantly arguing with your spouse, you will probably also be chronically anxious, angry or depressed (or all three). Or, if you have difficulty controlling your temper, you will have more arguments with your partner. Therefore, on your first visit you will start out by filling out a bio-social- history form, individual and couple assessments. Next, your counselor and you will devise a treatment plan which includes goals and objectives that you and your counselor believe will be most effective.

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In couples therapy, your therapist will help you and your partner identify the conflict issues within your relationship, and will help you decide what changes are needed, in the relationship and in the behavior of each partner, for both of you to feel satisfied with the relationship.

These changes may be different ways of interacting within the relationship, or they may be individual changes related to personal psychological problems. Couples therapy involves learning how to communicate more effectively, and how to listen more closely. Couples must learn how to avoid competing with each other, and need to identify common life goals and how to share responsibilities within their relationship. Sometimes the process is very similar to individual psychotherapy, sometimes it is more like mediation, and sometimes it is educational. The combination of the these three components is what makes it effective.

Sex Therapy is a subspecialty of psychotherapy, focusing on the specific concerns related to human sexuality. People of all ages, creeds, health status, ethnic backgrounds, whether partnered or single, may benefit from working with a psychotherapist who specializes in this area. Certified Sex Therapists use specialized clinical skills and theoretical knowledge to help people solve their sexual concerns.

In most states and provinces, Sex Therapy is not a separately licensed or regulated profession, therefore to assure the public of highly qualified practitioners, the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) provides voluntary certification to those therapists who have completed the rigorous certification process. Only those therapists who have met these qualifications may designate themselves as "AASECT Certified Sex Therapists." (this information was derived from www.aasect.org)

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Jill Ballman, MRC therapist, is currently under the supervision of Bruce Hersey who is an AASECT approved supervisor. To learn more about sex therapy visit www.aasect.org and to learn more about Bruce Hersey you may visit www.brucehersey.com

Being married can be difficult. Frankly, once the shine is off any relationship, it can be tough for couples to communicate and understand each other. A pre-marital counseling or education can help couples avert potential problems that they will otherwise encounter. Skills taught or learned through these experiences include:

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Better Communication

Active Listening

Positive Disagreement

Avoiding Criticism

How to Complain

Better Understanding

And much more

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These are positive benefits that can help couples build stronger, more lasting relationships in their marriage and other areas of their lives.