Couples Therapy & Relationship Coaching
Kirsten brings together a blend of evidence-based approaches, incorporating elements from both the Gottman Method Couples Therapy and Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy. Through her guidance, couples embark on a journey of rediscovery, exploring healthier ways of communication and being together in their relationship. Together, they delve into identifying and reshaping their conflict dynamics, acquiring effective conflict management tools, and fostering the expression of needs in a constructive manner. Kirsten facilitates the cultivation of a strong friendship foundation between partners, encouraging the sharing of appreciation and affection. In a nurturing environment, couples explore negative relationship patterns, address past wounds, and delve into underlying issues, fostering vulnerability, understanding, and empathy.​​​​​
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Kirsten offers distinct services as a therapist and as a relationship/individual coach. As a therapist, Kirsten provides clinical mental health support, focusing on diagnosing and treating emotional and psychological issues, including specialized couples therapy. In couples therapy, Kirsten works with partners to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen their relationship through evidence-based techniques and interventions. This therapy service is offered throughout California, adhering to state regulations for licensed therapy practice.
In contrast, Kirsten’s coaching services, available throughout the United States, emphasize goal-setting, personal development, and improving specific aspects of clients’ lives and relationships. Coaching is more future-focused and action-oriented, providing guidance and strategies for achieving personal and relational goals without delving deeply into mental health diagnoses.
Premarital
Discovery
Embarking on the journey to marriage or commitment is thrilling, yet it comes with its share of challenges. That's where Kirsten's pre-marital discovery sessions shine. Using the renowned Gottman Method, couples gain deep insights and tools to navigate their future with confidence.
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Enhancing communication: Kirsten assists couples in recognizing their communication patterns and fostering constructive expression of their needs.
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Conflict management: Kirsten equips couples with practical strategies to handle disagreements with respect and understanding.
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Exploring the impact of upbringing: By understanding how childhood experiences shape their perceptions, couples gain insight into themselves and each other.
Kirsten's pre-marital sessions provide a supportive space for couples to deepen their connection, enhance communication, and build a resilient foundation. With Kirsten's expertise and the Gottman Method, couples can embark on their journey together confidently, ready to face any obstacles with grace and strength.
Navigating life's transitions as a couple can be both exciting and daunting as you journey through milestones such as marriage, welcoming children, and facing unexpected challenges. With Kirsten, you'll find invaluable support and guidance to navigate these transitions with confidence and resilience.
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Tailored approach: Using the Gottman Method as a cornerstone, Kirsten integrates elements of Emotion Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy as needed to meet the unique needs of each couple.
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Compassionate space: Whether you're struggling with work-life balance, adjusting to the demands of medical school or pursuing a degree, or coping with the loss of a job or dealing with an illness, Kirsten provides a safe environment for you and your partner to explore your emotions and communicate effectively.
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Skills development: Throughout your coaching journey, Kirsten will help you identify and change unhealthy patterns of communication, develop effective conflict resolution skills, and nurture a deeper understanding of each other's needs and desires.
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Navigating family life: Kirsten will offer guidance on raising a family and staying connected as a couple amidst the stress, schedules, and lack of time that often accompany parenting.
With Kirsten's support, you and your partner can approach each new chapter of life with confidence knowing that you have the tools and skills to navigate whatever challenges may arise. Together, you'll forge a path forward that honors your individual strengths and values while strengthening the foundation of your relationship for years to come.
Supporting Couples Through Transformative Life Changes Later in Life
Nurturing couples through life's transformative phases can be a daunting journey, especially when faced with challenges such as loss of connection, empty nest syndrome, retirement, aging, and chronic health concerns. With Kirsten, you'll find a compassionate guide to help you navigate these transitions with grace and resilience. Kirsten's approach encompasses a variety of supportive elements aimed at guiding couples through these significant life shifts:
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Foundation in Gottman Method: Kirsten utilizes the renowned Gottman Method to provide couples with practical tools and strategies to rebuild their connection, foster effective communication, and navigate life's complexities.
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Safe and supportive environment: Whether grappling with the loss of lifelong friends, adjusting to changing physical abilities, or navigating financial worries and retirement, Kirsten offers a safe space for couples to explore their emotions and concerns openly.
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Rediscovering shared values: As couples journey through major life changes, Kirsten helps them reflect on their journey together, rediscover shared values and goals, and reignite the qualities that brought them together in the first place.
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Fostering unity and cooperation: By fostering a sense of unity, cooperation, and mutual support, Kirsten empowers couples to face life's challenges as a team, strengthening their bond and deepening their connection along the way.
With Kirsten's guidance, couples can embrace these major life changes with resilience and optimism, knowing that they have the tools and support they need to navigate the road ahead together. Through compassionate coaching and a commitment to growth and connection, Kirsten helps couples emerge stronger, more united, and better equipped to face whatever life may bring.
Initiating the challenging process of divorce can be emotionally taxing, but with Kirsten as your relationship coach, couples can gracefully transition through this period while learning invaluable conflict management techniques and de-escalation strategies. Kirsten's approach, grounded in compassion and understanding, focuses on helping couples communicate on a civil level, even amidst the turmoil of divorce.
Through Kirsten's guidance, couples embark on a journey to "Save Your Divorce," a process centered around recognizing the psychological and physiological stressors associated with divorce transition. By developing practical therapeutic approaches and conflict resolution skills, couples can promote resilience strategies, adaptions, and improved overall well-being. Kirsten's program emphasizes several key areas:
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Cooperative disagreement: Learning to handle disagreements constructively and respectfully.
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Learning to forgive one's partner: Cultivating forgiveness and letting go of resentment.
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Developing effective co-parenting strategies: Navigating the complexities of parenting post-divorce.
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Enhancing life satisfaction: Finding fulfillment and contentment amid life changes.
By preserving the essence of the relationship and expediting the divorce process, couples can minimize stress and expedite healing. Kirsten also assists couples in processing divorce grief, identifying positive and negative partner interactions, and reducing the stress on children involved. Additionally, her coaching aims to limit exorbitant legal expenses by fostering an amicable agreement between partners ensuring a smoother transition for all parties involved.
