When communication starts to break down in a relationship, sometimes a neutral perspective in the form of couples therapy can help. Often, we become afraid or anxious about “rocking the boat,” and end up going months or even years not knowing how to help our relationships or whether to end them. But if you and a partner are struggling to communicate, Sondra Sexton-Jones will help you. Her professional skills and compassion have helped many Juneau, AK, couples, and while it’s always challenging, it’s worth considering.

If you aren’t yet sure about couples therapy, here is what you can expect from it:

• Open Up The Box: In their own unique way, a couple’s therapist will ask the question “What is going on?” as though it has a clear root answer. Sometimes it’s easy to answer, but many couples genuinely aren’t sure what the answer is anymore. The ensuing conversations can go in many directions, however, and through couples therapy, all those directions will converge.

• Occasional “Individual” Time: Your therapist will want to spend the majority of your couples therapy with both of you present, but it’s not unusual to split up briefly for one-on-one conversations. It all depends on the situation.

• No Quick Fixes: Couples therapy takes time. It will hurt at first, especially at the beginning, but in the long run, you will both hurt less. Couples therapy is more complicated than individual therapy, but it fills in a lot of gaps you don’t get with traditional therapy.

• What Happens In Couples Therapy, Stays In Couples Therapy: You should consider your therapist’s office a safe haven where you can talk about what were once taboo subjects at home. Mediated by a neutral party who will hear both people out, now is the time to say what you couldn’t before. Your therapist will likely suggest that you not discuss your sessions at home.

Interested in couples therapy or other family counseling services? Sondra Sexton-Jones would be glad to help you. For any questions, give her Juneau office a call at (907) 586-3313, or visit her website for more information.