Pamela Minelli Therapist

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Couples Counseling

Is this your relationship?

According to Recent Research, the following signs are proven symptoms of relationship deterioration that are associated with a greatly increased probability of breakup or divorce:

1) Feeling Distant
2) Increase in Arguing or Negativity
3) Lack of Affection
4) Increase in Anger, Hostility and/or Sarcasm
5) Avoidance of Each Other; Stonewalling
6) Trust Issues (affairs; hiding cell phone/texting; suspicious absences)

If You’re Having One or More of the Signs Listed Above, Be Sure to Take Some Action Soon to Improve Your Situation.

The main problem for most couples is a lack of skills: often in the areas of communication, anger management, commitment, conflict resolution and/or intimacy skills.

You may not know how to successfully resolve ongoing hurts/resentments; betrayal of trust; affairs; cheating or other infidelity-related issues; verbal abuse; anger; and/or distance/lack of closeness in your relationship.

The good news? These skills can be taught to motivated couples. For more information about how couples counseling can help you resolve your relationship challenges, please call our main office at 248-797-0304 or email at info@pminellitherapist.com

Couples Therapy


Couples Therapy or Marriage Counseling is a very useful modality of help for couples who are experiencing difficulties such as:

  • repetitive arguments;
  • feelings of distance or emptiness in the relationship;
  • trust issues or physical/emotional affairs;
  • pervasive feelings of anger, resentment and/or dissatisfaction;
  • or lack of interest in affection or in a physical relationship with one another.
Couples Therapy is based on the model of a ‘Conscious Relationship’ – a stable, fulfilling and passionate relationship between committed partners which results from both partners agreeing to consciously look at themselves and their relationship patterns.A conscious, healthy relationship is NOT dramatic, abusive, addictive, or an emotional roller-coaster. In a healthy relationship, both partners feel physically and emotionally safe – and therefore want to get close and create an emotionally and physically intimate relationship that is built on an interdependent connection.
In a conscious, healthy relationship it is acknowledged that:
  • both partners are equally responsible for what happens in the relationship;
  • excellent communication skills are essential;
  • feelings need to be discussed instead of withholding them, withdrawing, or projecting them onto a partner in the form of blame or accusations;
  • fulfilling intimate adult relationships are based on a realistic understanding of male-female differences and a strong desire to get along, rather than a focus on proving that you are right and the other person is wrong.In Couples Therapy I combine behavioral approaches to relationship enhancement (such as learning how to listen and communicate, how to set appropriate boundaries, how to argue constructively and fight fairly, how to enhance pleasure and intimacy, and how to turn conflicts into solutions) with a psychodynamic investigation which helps both partners understand how their past experiences may contribute to the types of attractions and conflicts which arise in their adult relationships. In addition to couples therapy sessions, couples are given exercises to practice at home to deepen their understanding and practice of the ideas discussed.To make an appointment  please call our main office at 248-797-0304 or email at info@pminellitherapist.com.
  • PRE-MARITAL COUNSELING
    For premarital counseling, we offer traditional Couples Counseling, as well as a unique 5 session program called PREP. Read below to learn more about the details on the PREP program.

    Pre-Marital Counseling

     

    Being engaged to be married is an exciting time. It can also bring up some fears, given the high divorce rate among couples today – or because of past relationships that haven’t worked out. With our over twenty years’ experience helping couples in all stages of relationships, we can give you all the most important tools and insight you need to create a healthy, loving, secure intimate relationship that can last a lifetime.

    No relationship is all sunshine, but two people can share one umbrella and survive the storm together.

    For premarital counseling, we offer traditional Couples Counseling, as well as a unique 5 session program called PREP. Here are the details on the PREP program:

    Pre-Marital Relationship Enrichment Program (PREP)

    The program involves assessment of a couple’s strengths and challenges, as well as an educational component teaching them core relationship skills. Program includes five one-hour sessions with a staff member, culminating in a summary of what was accomplished and recommendations for the future, if any.

    Here is a breakdown of each session in the program:

    Session 1: Assessment/evaluation. Each person fills out a detailed psychosocial history form with extended checklist for relationship status, which addresses communication; conflict/anger management; trust; sexuality; time management; spirituality; substance use; and potential for conflicts with extended family.

    Session 2: Review research on Stage of Committed Relationships & teach Daily Temperature Reading communication exercise

    Session 3: Learn key PAIRS tools: The Daily Temperature Reading experiences and the Dirty Fighting/Fair Fighting exercise to assess history of non-productive conflict resolution strategies and teach a healthier alternative

    Session 4: Review Daily Temperature Reading and Fair Fighting (if necessary) and teach Dialogue Guide, to give couple structured tool for deeper conflicts as they emerge over time

    Session 5: Conclusion and Summary Session

    To make an appointment for Pre-Marital Counseling, or to begin the PREP program, please call our main office at

    248-797-0304 or email at info@pminellitherapist.com

  • Testimonials

    “Therapy was something my husband didn’t want to do, but now he tells everyone what a great gift it has been to our relationship and our life”