Couples Therapy

Creating truly intimate, conscious loving relationships is perhaps the most important, most rewarding and most challenging work we can undertake. At the Wissahickon Center we believe that each of us has the innate capacity to create joyful, life-affirming and passionate relationships that truly meet our needs. Imago Relationship Therapy, a profoundly powerful form of marriage therapy, is about:

Creating an atmosphere of safety and compassion
Learning to manage differences in a way that enhances connection
Gaining a profound understanding of the impact our past experiences have had upon the way in which we experience and behave in our current relationships
Identifying and changing behaviors that sabotage the relationships we care about the most
Developing the true intimacy that is the source of passion and joy

The Imago couples therapy process involves learning new skills and changing hurtful behaviors. In the course of this process partners consciously stretch to meet one another's needs, creating safety in the relationship while growing and developing as individuals.

In addition to private therapy sessions all couples are encouraged to attend one of our Getting The Love You Want Workshops and one of our ongoing couples support groups.

Premarital Counseling

"To love someone is to see a miracle invisible to others." Francois Mauriac

What does it take to create the marriage of our dreams? In this era of rising divorce rates and shifting roles and expectations many couples are turning to premarital counseling and seminars as a way of creating a strong marriage from the very beginning. Clarifying important concerns and expectations and developing good communications skills establishes a truly sound foundation for the future. Research shows that premarital counseling significantly reduces the possibility of future marital conflict or divorce. Premarital counseling involves three to six counseling sessions during which you will identify current concerns, explore expectations around such issues as division of labor, finances, and family relationships and learn the basics of effective communication as well as approaches to resolving differences while avoiding destructive conflicts.

In addition to private counseling couples are encouraged to take the Getting The Love You Want Workshops and to join one of our ongoing couples support groups.

Gay and Lesbian Couples

photo of lesbian couple In addition to managing the issues faced by all couples - issues of roles and responsibilities, financial concerns, intimacy and sexuality, and different communication styles - gay and lesbian couples face the added challenge of nurturing their relationships in a world that is often hostile. Outright rejection or more subtle lack of understanding by family and friends can create an added burden for couples already struggling to create healthy intimate relationships. For gay and lesbian couples choosing to commit to each other in a social environment that does not honor that commitment, making such a commitment can take great courage and inner strength.

The Wissahickon Center for Relationship Therapy provides supportive couples therapy as well as mixed Gay/Lesbian/Straight Getting The Love You Want Workshops.

Interfaith Couples

All couples struggle with integrating different cultural backgrounds, life experiences, dreams and expectations. For couples from different religious backgrounds these differences often involve profoundly held beliefs and expectations about family relationships, life cycle events and issues as diverse as food, money, child rearing and basic lifestyle choices. Expectations (and occasionally pressure) from family and friends can sometimes make it especially difficult for interfaith couples to resolve these issues. The Wissahickon Center for Relationship Therapy offers private counseling, support groups, seminars and workshops to help interfaith couples address their concerns.

Reconnection: Healing the Pain from an Affair

photo of a sad woman Healthy relationships are built on safety and trust. When one partner has an affair this trust is often shattered. While rebuilding safety and connection can be a difficult and delicate process, when accomplished with care and patience it can actually lead to profound healing and an even deeper intimacy. Contrary to the images portrayed by TV and movies, affairs don't just happen. They are almost always symptomatic of existing serious ruptures in connection and communication. The healing process involves closing all exits, learning to communicate with, and listen to, each other honestly and with compassion, identifying and resolving pre-existing problems, and finally making amends and healing the pain of past betrayals.

Couples are strongly encouraged to take the Getting The Love You Want Workshops.

Enhancing Sexual Intimacy

photo of a happy couple kissing A hot sex life is not just for the young, the beautiful or those who barely know each other. Indeed, the more mature a relationship, the more potential it has for great sex. When a couple's sex life begins to show wear and tear it is often a symptom of other unresolved problems. As you begin to resolve these issues through therapy you will be amazed at the depth of passion, intimacy and excitement that will emerge. For more information read Enhancing Sexual Intimacy in the Articles Section.

Veterans and Their Partners

One of the most challenging aspects of adjusting to civilian life can be reconnecting with your family. Whether you are the one who went away or the ones who stayed at home, you have all been through a lot and changed and grown in your time apart. It can often be difficult to understand your partner's experience, and to explain your own. A supportive counseling environment can help you to share, to reconnect and to understand each other so that the initial joy of homecoming can become the foundation for a truly safe and supportive family life. We offer military personnel returning from service overseas a reduced fee structure for their first year of therapy. For more information about discounts for veterans call (215) 699-1238.