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AIMEE NOW to set up your FREE
CONSULTATION.
For
COUPLES
Relationships
are my primary focus.
My
Philosophy:
So many times I watch couples come into counseling to "save"
their relationship. By this time, resentment may have gotten
so deep, it can be challenging to overcome. It's usually
because the couple ends up getting "comfortable"
or "complacent", and there is a lack of communication.
They end up living somewhat satisfactory and fulfilling
lives together - staying with the status quo.
In my personal and professional practice, the goal is to
rise above this status quo and create the most fulfilling
relationship possible.
My idea is to enhance and build upon what
is considered satisfactory - and take it to the next level.
If you are going to spend the majority of your time and
life together, why not make it incredible?
I
believe that all conflicts are there to help you grow as
a couple, and the most important part of conflict is how
you resolve it. This
happens through communication.
My
Therapeutic Approach: Seeing and Gaining Understanding of
Each Other...
With
each couple, I connect to each person individually as well
as together. With each person, I get an idea of what their
"life movie" is - from childhood to the present.
This allows me to see what patterns/issues have developed
and what unresolved internal conflicts and unfinished business
may be showing up in the relationship. Normally, until the
issues are resolved, the same scenes keep playing over and
over again (i.e. you keep having the same argument).
Once
each of your life movies are clear, I support you both in
seeing how these issues/conflicts show up in your relationship
together. Gaining this understanding will allow each of
you to do three primary things:
(1)
Understand and take accountabilty for your patterns, issues,
unresolved conflict, and unfinished business and, more importantly,
take steps to take care of yourself in the present, and
resolve past challenges.
(2)
Support and have compassion for each other in your patterns,
issues, unresolved conflict, and unfinished business, rather
than taking it personally.
(3)
See what your "couple movie" is, and take action
on making the changes needed to let go of resentment, and
grow more connected.
How you will do this...
Through
openness, willingness, communication, and compassion. All
of these actions will allow you to have a deeper connection.
Athough I am not certified in Imago
Therapy, I follow a significant amount of the ideas
presented by Harville Hendrix in his book Getting the
Love You Want and Hendrix's and Helen Hunt's The
Couple's Companion Meditations and Exercises for Getting
the Love You Want.
I
provide the space for you in session to practice communicating
with empathetic and reflective listening, so both of you
will feel listened to, understood, and loved through your
dialogue.
I
personally believe that communication and vulnerability
is the glue in the most connected relationships. So, I take
Hendrix's theories of love and support you in getting more
connected in the Five Major Aspects of Life...
Your Couple's Wheel of
Life...
I
use an integration of traditional and holistic methods with
my relationships. The Couple's
Wheel of Life includes
The Five Intimacies**: Physical Intimacy, Emotional
Intimacy, Mental Intimacy, Spiritual Intimacy, and Social/Relationship
Intimacy.
At the start of your counseling, I do an in-depth assessment
to see how well you are connected and caring for your relationship
in each of those areas. Once that is identified, you will
get specific with what needs the most nurturing, identify
goals and desires, and practice logical and simple methods
to help you get stronger in that area. Click here for a
sample of the Holistic
Relationship Assessment*.
Cost:
first session is always free. Fees start at:
$120 per hourly session
$180 per 1.5 hour session
Package Discounts:
$10 off per session if you purchase 5 upfront ($50 discount)
$15 off per session if you purchase 10 upfront ($150 discount)
*If you purchase a package and choose not to complete
your sessions, you will be refunded minus the difference
of the full session fee of the agreed upon hourly fee.
(credit cards, cash, and/or checks accepted)
Most PPO and POS insurances accepted as an out-of-network
provider.
*Please
don't let cost ever stop you from taking care of your needs.
Everything is doable! Just contact
me and if we cannot find synergy, I will provide you with
alternative resources.
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*Holistic
Relationship Assessment © 2007 Aimee Zakrewski Clark.
**The Five Intimacies
©
2006 Aimee Zakrewski
Premarital
Counseling
Congratulations!
If you having come to this section, it means that you are
embarking on one of the most amazing, courageous, and connected
experiences of life: marriage.
I
have a simple protocol when it comes to Premarital Counseling:
1.
Holistic Assessment: we will do a thorough assessment
of where you are in your relationship based on the five
major aspects of life: physical, mental, emotional, spiritual,
and social/relational. This will create your Couple's
Wheel of Life. (Click here for an example of the
Holistic
Relationship Assessment*.)
2.
Taking Action: Based on the results of your assessment,
you will develop specific intentions/goals for areas where
you need extra support. You will also practice specific
tools and exercises to grow closer in that part of your
Wheel. This can include, but is not limited to:
1.
Process vs. Content
2. Knowing Needs/Making
Needs Requests
3. Conflict Resolution
4. Negative interaction pattern/Empathy
5. Principles of Communication
6. Gottman’s 4 Horsemen
7. Five Languages
of Love/Apology
8. Expectations of Marriage
9. Short-term & Long-term Goals
I
approach each couple with a blank slate of which you create
the picture. This means that there is no predetermined agenda
or specific number of sessions. I suggest you begin with
five initial sessions (of which the first is free).
Cost:
first session is always free. Fees start at:
$120 per hourly session
$180 per 1.5 hour session
Package Discounts:
$10 off per session if you purchase 5 upfront ($50 discount)
$15 off per session if you purchase 10 upfront ($150 discount)
*If you purchase a package and choose not to complete
your sessions, you will be refunded minus the difference
of the full session fee of the agreed upon hourly fee.
(credit cards, cash, and/or checks accepted)
Most PPO and POS insurances accepted as an out-of-network
provider
*Please
don't let cost ever stop you from taking care of your needs.
Everything is doable! Just contact
me and if we cannot find synergy, I will provide you with
alternative resources.
*Holistic Relationship Assessment © 2007 Aimee
Zakrewski Clark.
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For
FAMILIES
There
comes a time in life where we have growing pains and road
blocks. During these times, we may need assistance from
an objective voice to help us move through them.
Whether
it is the new experience of a divorce, blending two families
together, communication with your teenager, or launching
your child from the home - counseling can ease the transition,
open up lines of communication, and provide another view
of the situation.
The
Benefits of a Family Meeting
Have
you ever tried to have a family meeting and it feels like
you are getting nowhere? Having an objective mediator can
make family meetings go a lot smoother and enable you to
get focused and clear on what's needed. The overall goal
is teamwork!
Cost:
first session is always free. Fees start at:
$120 per hourly session
$180 per 1.5 hour session
Package Discounts:
$10 off per session if you purchase 5 upfront ($50 discount)
$15 off per session if you purchase 10 upfront ($150 discount)
(credit cards, cash, and/or checks accepted)
Most PPO and POS insurances accepted as an out-of-network
provider
TOP
---
More coming soon! Click here
for an in-depth biography.
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