Psychotherapy and Marriage Counseling in Greenwich, CT and White Plains, NY

Psychotherapy and Counseling

>>Greenwich and White Plains Psychologist, Counselor, Psychotherapist > Westchester and Greenwich Marriage Counseling

Psychotherapy can help us overcome emotional issues that interfere with our relationships and peace of mind. Therapy provides a depth of understanding and the cognitive behavioral techniques needed to overcome fear, anxiety and depression, as well as resolve issues with those who really matter to us.

Unaddressed emotional problems can undermine relationships, academic achievement, careers, as well as create stress-related illnesses. Unaddressed issues may also result in seeking relief through substance abuse including alcohol, the most frequently abused drug.

Psychotherapy and counseling can help us identify and express feelings and personal needs more effectively, allowing us to move forward in our private and professional lives.

A licensed psychologist in Greenwich, CT and White Plains, NY, I provide psychotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy for depression problems, anxiety disorders, relationship issues and

Relationship problems may unexpectedly inflame old emotional wounds or open new ones. An intimate relationship can bring out our emotional strengths as well as our vulnerabilities or weaknesses. The personal or family issues which we bring into a relationship may startle, confuse and frustrate a partner and can lead to severe conflict or estrangement. Relationship problems may also arise when communication is poor or when partners have not adequately communicated what really matters to them and how important it is to him/her.

Couples Therapy and Marriage Counseling

In my 25 years as a Couples Therapist, and Marriage Counselor, I have dealt with many different types of communication problems. Some couples as mentioned above, are unable or unwilling to communicate what really matters and become hurt, angry and disappointed when their partner does not follow through on what he/she had in mind ((as if he/she should "just know.") Other couples may simply drift apart and eventually lead parallel lives. Disillusionment and estrangement starts setting in because they have stopped (or never learned) to communicate their deeper feelings and needs. Other couples develop a fighting-and-making-up cycle creating instability and emotional exhaustion. Feelings of betrayal, disloyalty or abuse (including verbal abuse), feelings of chronic insecurity or low self-esteem leading to demanding or clinging behavior can abruptly undermine or destroy the fabric of the couples' relationship.

Marriages/couples are also in trouble when one or both members feel a chronic resentment or irritability towards each other. Typically, you know you are at this point when you chronically avoid eye contact and when one or both of you have gotten into a habit of speaking to the other in a nasty, bitter or sarcastic way. Also, failure to take responsibility for hurting the other and/or persistently blaming the other, not taking "ownership" for one's action or inactions causes further problems. Withholding apology or refusal to apologize for something that has deeply hurt your partner inevitably leads to feelings of alienation, isolation, distance and defensiveness.

When enough of these, slights, insults (whether real or experienced) or disappointments occur, it leads to feeling as if you are living as married singles. Eventually, both members start to retreat to their emotionally safe corners trying to lick their own wounds and nourish themselves. Once the sense of chronic disappointment and hurt turns into disillusionment, lit leaves a couple feeling distant and bereft. At this point, the relationship is vulnerable to the emergence of other problems such as acting out in the form of affairs, drinking, other forms of substance abuse or other direct and indirect expressions of anger.

I believe that each member in the relationship is fully responsible for their own behavior. That means that no matter how (badly) your partner behaves, you are still 100% responsible for your reaction. To that extent, you are 100% responsible for your 50%. The goal of therapy is to become aware of your own behavior, as well as help you identify what aspects you don't like in yourself (including your reactions) and to start clearing away the resistances to change those behaviors. A couples way of relating is similar to a dance to the extent that it has a rhythm and that rhythm is predictable and understandable. Even if only one partner changes his steps, the dance will necessarily change. Your relationships will change accordingly whether we are talking about you and your partner, your child, your work colleague, your boss, your friend.

My approach is collaborative and respectful of a person's pace and readiness to change.

I have been described as warm, compassionate, down-to-earth and as an excellent listener, providing an environment where a person feels safe.

Please feel free to contact me in Greenwich, CT or White Plains, NY:

2 Benedict Place 2nd Floor Greenwich, Connecticut 06830 (203) 661-5009	303 North Street Suite 304 White Plains, New York 10605 (914) 328-0797
Email Dr. Joyce Nathan