evidence-based Therapy

for Anxiety, OCD, ADHD, and Relationships

A woman with curly hair hugging a man with glasses and a beard, both sitting outdoors on a stone wall, with a blurred cityscape in the background.

Relationship Therapy & Couples Therapy

Stress, life transitions, unmet needs, or communication breakdowns can create emotional distance or tension between partners. These moments, while difficult, can also serve as opportunities for growth and deeper understanding. With intention and support, couples can learn to navigate challenges, repair ruptures, and rebuild trust through open dialogue, emotional attunement, and collaborative problem-solving. Evidence-based approaches like Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Integrative Behavioral Couples Therapy (IBCT), and the Gottman Method offer tools to strengthen connection, improve communication, and maintain lasting intimacy.

Support for Individuals

Individual therapy offers a dedicated space to explore the emotional and relational patterns that shape your connections with others. Through compassionate inquiry and evidence-based strategies, therapy supports you in cultivating greater self-awareness, emotional resilience, and more authentic ways of engaging in relationships.

Common Reasons Individuals Seek Relational Therapy

  • Struggles with setting boundaries – difficulty saying no, overextending, or feeling responsible for others' emotions

  • People-pleasing or self-silencing – prioritizing others' needs at the expense of your own authenticity

  • Fear of vulnerability or emotional intimacy – discomfort with being seen, known, or emotionally open

  • Patterns of unhealthy or unfulfilling relationships – repeated experiences of conflict, distance, or instability

  • Attachment insecurity – anxiety, avoidance, or ambivalence in close relationships

  • Chronic feelings of rejection, abandonment, or not being “enough” – deep-seated relational wounds that shape present connections

  • Difficulty trusting others or letting go of control – hyper-independence or suspicion shaped by past betrayal or disappointment

  • Navigating a relationship rupture or loss – recovering from breakup, betrayal, or complicated grief

  • Desire to show up more authentically in relationships – aligning your behavior with your values, needs, and emotional truth

  • Exploring relational identity and patterns – gaining insight into how family dynamics, past experiences, and internal narratives shape your way of relating

Treatment at Rise Psychology may include approaches such as Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), and interpersonal strategies informed by Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Depending on your needs, sessions may focus on strengthening awareness of your emotional and relational needs, deepening empathy and perspective-taking skills, practicing assertive and compassionate communication, and fostering the confidence to show up fully and congruently in your relationships.

Support for Couples

Couples therapy and couples counseling offer a structured, collaborative process for partners seeking to repair trust, deepen emotional intimacy, and interrupt painful patterns of disconnection. With the guidance of a trained therapist, couples can learn to communicate more effectively, navigate conflict with empathy, and better understand each other’s needs and emotions.

Common Reasons Couples Seek Counseling

  • Breakdowns in communication – feeling unheard, misunderstood, or stuck in unproductive cycles

  • Loss of emotional or physical intimacy – growing distance, lack of affection, or diminished desire

  • Frequent conflict or escalating tension – arguments that repeat without resolution or create lasting resentment

  • Trust ruptures and betrayal – navigating the aftermath of infidelity, secrecy, or broken agreements

  • Disconnection during major life transitions – adjusting to parenthood, relocation, career changes, or loss

  • Differing attachment styles or emotional needs – struggles with closeness, autonomy, or reassurance

  • Ongoing patterns of blame, withdrawal, or defensiveness – difficulty resolving conflict without damaging the bond

  • Value-based disagreements – tension around finances, family roles, identity, or future goals

  • Feeling more like roommates than partners – stagnation, lack of shared purpose, or emotional disengagement

  • Desire to strengthen the relationship before marriage or during early stages – proactive support for long-term health

Therapy at Rise Psychology includes empirically supported models, including Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to strengthen the attachment bond, Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy (IBCT) to promote acceptance alongside change, and the Gottman Method to reinforce effective communication and shared meaning. Through guided exercises, in-session coaching, and intentional dialogue, couples learn to move beyond cycles of blame or avoidance and cultivate a relationship rooted in empathy, mutual respect, and deeper connection.

Relationship therapy, couples counseling, and couples therapy are offered by Dr. Lauren Helm at Rise Psychology.