Relationship Issues In addition to a postgraduate degree in Marital and Family Therapy, Dori has training in the Practical Application of Intimate Relationship Skills Program (PAIRS) and the John Gottman Reserach Based Marital Therapy Institute. She practices Solution Focused Therapy that emphasizes improved communication and takes a proactive approach to change. While there is a definite advantage to having both partners available it is possible to have success in couples therap with only one partner. Problems in a marriage are often due to negative patterns that develop over time. When one partner makes changes in how he or she responds it affects the pattern of interaction. Infidelity One of the most difficult issues to overcome is infidelity. The anger in the person who discovers that the other partner was unfaithful can be devastating. The pain of the betrayal can be overwhelming and make the relationship seem beyond help. The unfaithful partner is overcome by guilt and does not know how to get passed the apology. However, therapy can be helpful if there is even a small desire in the partners to work on the relationship. Improving Communication and Intimacy In many relatonships the partners begin to fall into patterns that lack communication and intimacy. Solution focused couples therapy can help the partners assess the weak links and make positive behavioral changes that can rekindle the feelings that brought the couple together. Taking an hour out of a week to work on a relationship is small price to pay for increased intimacy. Same Sex Relationships Alhough same sex relationships sometimes have additional societal pressure, in the majority of cases the relationship issues are the same as heterosexual couples. Partners develop patterns of interaction over time that cause each other to wonder if the relationship is worthwhile. Going to couples therapy is advantageous whether the couple is on the verge of ending the relationship or feels that communication and intimacy issues need to be addressed.
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