LGBTQ Couples Counseling
Are You Feeling Lonely, Lost Or Disconnected In Your Partnership?
Are you and your partner struggling to communicate and connect? Do you seem to have the same kind of fight over and over again without any meaningful and sustainable compromise or resolution? Perhaps you feel lonely in your relationship and find it difficult to get your needs met. Or, maybe you and your partner are struggling with issues related to boundaries, jealousy, trust, parenting, family acceptance or sex. Have kids, careers or the demands of daily life taken over the time you once reserved for each other? Do you feel unheard, unvalued or anxious in your relationship? Do you wish you could feel understood, find ways to get your needs met and connect with your partner in a deep and meaningful way?
If You Have Doubts and Worries About Your Relationship, You Are Not Alone
For some time, there was an assumption that LGBTQ partnerships were somehow stronger and more intentional and sustainable than heterosexual relationships due to the challenges that many LGBTQ couples faced in order to stay together. Today, we know this assumption to be untrue. In fact, the many additional challenges still confronting LGBTQ couples today can cause additional stress and conflict. In terms of LGBTQ relationships, there are not many scripts to follow or healthy relationships to model. While this uncharted territory can feel exciting, it is also limiting. In addition, most of us – regardless of sexual orientation – did not have parents or caregivers who modeled healthy relationships or taught us how to effectively communicate and connect with our intimate partners.
All couples bump up against challenges and most, if not all, couples could benefit from counseling. In fact, it’s best to be proactive and seek guidance, tools and support before your relationship feels overwhelming. There are also times when seeking the help of an experienced, professional third-party becomes vital to the health and viability of the relationship. If you and your partner are going though a particularly difficult or challenging time, such as a gender transition, coming out or creating and maintaining healthy boundaries, or if you are feeling disconnected and unhappy, an experienced and understanding couples therapist can help.
Contact us today & feel good again
LGBTQ Couples Counseling Can Provide You With Support, Guidance And Healthy Relationship Skills
If you and your partner are willing to engage in the therapy process and can commit to improving the ways you connect, communicate and interact, anything is possible. A neutral and skilled therapist can provide you with the tools and insights needed to process difficult emotions, work through challenging issues and create a new, effective and more connected path forward.
In safe, confidential and totally nonjudgmental sessions, your West Hartford Holistic Counseling Center therapist will provide both you and your partner with room to express your thoughts, feelings and desires. When emotions are running high—as they often do in initial sessions—your therapist can hold grounded space and help you and your partner slow down. Your therapist can also compassionately guide conversations so they remain respectful, productive and safe.
Throughout the therapy process, you and your partner can learn tools that can help you both communicate more effectively. You can explore new ways of relating to each other and work toward becoming more vulnerable and trusting in your relationship. You can build a foundation of trust, whether that means rebuilding or building from the ground up, and focus on the aspects of your relationship that are working well. Often, identifying and playing on your strengths can build confidence and help you reconnect with what it was that initially drew you together.
You’ll also have a safe space to address issues that might feel taboo or that you’ve had a hard time communicating to your partner, such as traumas, feelings about sex/sexuality, acceptance and boundary issues or a difference in values. Exploring these issues in the safe space of therapy can provide a great sense of relief. And, communicating authentically can also deepen your understanding and compassion for each other and strengthen your connection.
With the support and guidance of an experienced couples therapist and a willingness to explore yourselves and your relationship, healing and growth are possible. You can experience improved communication and deeper connection. You can learn how to work through challenges and talk through feelings in safe, compassionate and effective ways. And, you can strengthen the foundation of your relationship and develop the tools needed to thoughtfully navigate the hurdles of life and love as an empowered, connected couple.
Although you may be seeking support and guidance, you still may have questions or concerns about LGBTQ couples counseling…
I’m having a hard time talking about certain issues with my partner. I’m not sure that I could confide in anyone else—even a therapist.
Often the apprehension we create around talking about a certain topic is far scarier than actually talking about it. And, alternatively, so much relief and connection can come from finally addressing specific topics with your partner. An experienced, neutral couples therapist can hold space and gently help guide you through challenging conversations. At West Hartford Holistic Counseling Center, we create a safe, nonjudgmental, warm and confidential space where you can talk openly about anything and everything. That said, it’s up to you what you share, how much you share and when you share.
I’m afraid that talking about some of our issues will make them feel more real and we’ll experience even more conflict.
Whether or not you openly address the issues in your relationship, they still exist. And, not talking about them allows them to fester and grow, inevitably creating more disconnection between you and your partner. While it can be hard and a little painful to share challenging thoughts, feelings and issues at first, talking openly and honestly can promote intimacy and connection and help you strengthen the foundation of your partnership. Furthermore, you’ll have the help of a compassionate and experienced therapist to help you move through difficult topics.
You Can Create A Connected And Loving Relationship
We invite you to call our office 860-258-4171 or contact us for a free phone consultation to discuss your specific needs and to answer any questions you have about LGBTQ couples counseling, our practice and how we can help.
