Differences, sensitive issues, and past events are variables that all relationships must endure in one way or another. There are ways of dealing with these variables in which relationships inevitably suffer and there are ways of dealing with these variables in ways in which relationships can evolve, prosper, and ultimately grow deeper. The level of functioning of the relationship is determined by the state of mind of each person in the relationship and how gracefully each person is able to keep his/her bearings in the face of the other's upset. Our primary objective in our work with couples and families is to improve the overall state of mind of one or both parties involved in the relationship and strengthen their resilience to the ups and downs that are inherent to the human condition.

We have a steady flow of clients experiencing problems in their marriages and within their families. Seen from a distance these cases represent a number of ways in which people innocently get stuck in problems, reactive states, and bad dynamics. Over time this can lead to unhappy marriages or charged and contentious relationships. We have found that by deepening people's understanding of the fundamental principles behind our mental lives, they are able to avoid the chronic and habitual relationship dynamics and recapture the connection, energy, and love that we all seek in our primary relationships.

Frequently Asked Questions
How is this different from other types of counseling?
Our approach to counseling is very different from most other counseling available in the field. Instead of ongoing counseling, we offer a comprehensive four day mental health program. This program is designed to have a profound impact on all areas of the client's life as opposed to simply working through certain specified issues. We operate under the assumption that people have the most clarity, perspective, and the sharpest learning curve when they are relaxed, emotionally secure, and their minds are free. As a result we designed the format and process of our programs in a way that raises the client's overall level of well-being throughout the program. We do not take clients into their pasts nor do we teach people to control or manage their thinking, feelings, or behavior, as we feel neither of these processes ultimately impacts a person's overall peace of mind. We use an educational approach to the counseling process through which we teach people about the power behind human psychological functioning, giving them the understanding that enables them to live their lives with more contentment, greater connection to others, and less struggle in the face of adversity.

Apart from the format and process of our programs, perhaps the most fundamental difference between our approach and other modes of counseling is our philosophy toward our clients. We operate from a health-based orientation to human psychological functioning, which is in contrast to the illness-based orientation that dominates the mental health field. We believe people are born with their mental health completely intact and that they never lose the ability to realize peace of mind, regardless of factors such as external circumstance, past events, genetics, or personality.

It's been rocky for a long time, does that matter?
We have found that the degree to which people are impacted by our programs has nothing to do with how bad things are or how long the problems have existed. Rather, our results with people are primarily dependent upon a person's willingness, however slight, to learning and seek some help.

Will we have to come back when we have another problem?
No. Our approach is educational in nature which means that we teach people what they need to know in order to find not just contentment and well-being, but also the clarity and wisdom to resolve their own issues. Once our clients discover the resources that live within them, they are able to metabolize/navigate adversities they face in the future.

My spouse/family member doesn't want to do counseling. How can I get him/her to participate?
For clients whose spouse or family members are opposed to participating in counseling, we suggest that the client be respectful of that person's decision. The goal of our programs is to raise the overall level of well-being of the client which necessarily results in a profound change in the client's relationships regardless of the frame of mind of his/her spouse or loved one.

In the past, counseling often involved a painful, invasive, and awkward process. As a result it is not surprising that people with any previous experience of counseling might be under the assumption that the experience will be unpleasant or upsetting. We have found that people's ambivalence generally disappears when they find out about our philosophy and approach to counseling. Our best advice to someone whose spouse or loved one is opposed to participating in our programs is to be respectful and understanding of where he/she is coming from in hopes of clarifying any misconceptions about the type of counseling we offer.

My spouse and I have pretty much decided on getting a divorce. Should we even bother considering your program or are we beyond the point of getting help?
While we would never attempt to guarantee any outcome, we have witnessed phenomenal results with couples who had filed for divorce but were willing to give counseling one last try. We see numerous situations in which one or both parties are fed up, discouraged, resentful, hostile, or, completely detached, to name a few, but there always exists a likelihood for a complete turnaround as long as there is even the slightest trace of willingness to participate in a final effort. Oftentimes couples on the brink of divorce are giving up simply because they do not see a way of reconciling and would welcome a fresh, new lease on their relationship rather than resorting to divorce. These types of situations tend to have the most promising results. Relationships in which one or both parties have made up their minds and want to divorce regardless of how dramatically things change tend to be less conducive to being impacted by our programs, however we always encourage either person to contact us and speak with a counselor before any decisions are made.

What is the format of your programs?
We have the ability to design custom programs for people depending upon their particular needs, however a majority of our clients are ideally suited for our 4-day Intensive program. This program is conducted in a one-on-one setting. The couple or family meets with their counselor either together or separately for ninety-minute sessions twice a day for four days. Clients are given materials to review during the breaks between sessions. The format of the program is designed to allow for time during the breaks for the client to reflect upon and absorb the content of the sessions.