All of these questions warrant
attention. I have been practicing psychotherapy since 1978,
providing treatment for depression, anxiety, relationship
difficulties, and sexual problems.
Relationship Therapy
When couples experience tension, increasing conflict and unhappiness,
it can seem such a mystery that a relationship which once felt so warm
and loving has developed into one of pain, disappointment and
disconnection. Conflicts, or a high level of tension, can seem so
distressing that the possibility of redeveloping a loving relationship
can seem dim.
Imago therapy is a particularly effective form of relationship therapy
which aims to help couples develop safe and more loving relationships,
in which pain and conflict are turned into an opportunity for growth and
greater closeness.
Imago
therapy seeks to :
- Improve communication
- increase understanding and closness
- rekindle passion
- rebuild a feeling of appreciation in the relationship
Pre-marital counseling: Imago
therapy also lends itself very well to helping couples start off
their lifetime relationships in a constructive ways, many times heading
off problems before they start. Many difficulties arise because
couples don't have good ways of resolving even small conflicts
and tension. Imago teaches effective and safe ways of
communicating, which builds a sense of confidence that problems can be
addressed so tension doesn't mount up over time.
Individual and Group Therapy
People seek individual treatment for anxiety and panic attacks, feeling
depressed and unmotivated, difficulty with anger, and other mood
disorders. Contributing factors include conflict and tension in a
close relationship, job-related difficulties, major life changes, loss,
traumatic events and chemical imbalances. Individual and group therapy
can be tremendously helpful in alleviating symptoms, being able to be
more productive, changing destructive patterns and behavior and feeling
more capable and engaged in life.
Sex Therapy
Concerns about sexuality and sexual
problems are incredibly common. Yet, talking about them or seeking
therapy are equally uncommon. Sometimes this is because we think of
adult subjects the same way we picture a nude photograph, as x-rated.
As a result, many people suffer needlessly in silence.
But sexuality isn't just about problems. It's also about
how
to enjoy sex the most you possibly can.
Sometimes this is strictly a personal issue and sometimes it's a
relationship issue. Many of us did not grow up in an atmosphere of
feeling comfortable with our sexual selves, nor were we surrounded by
adults willing to talk to us comfortably about our sexuality. We have discomforts, hang-ups and questions about our sexual
behaviors.
Within relationships, many times the sexual relationship
deteriorates
to a poor or nonexistent one. Frequently, people
don't really know how it happened or what
to do about it. Many, many basically good relationships go down the tubes
because the sex went bad.
The following are some of the common problems which can be addressed in therapy:
- low interest in sex
- erection difficulties
- relationship difficulties which may include sexuality
issues
- difficulty achieving orgasm
- painful intercourse
- sexual difficulties within a relationship, e.g.
frequency of sex, unwelcome behaviors of one partner
Copyright 2005 Deborah J. Fox