Couples & Marriage Counseling in Austin, TX

"Louis has helped my husband and I grow throughout the time leading up to our marriage as well as now that we are married. We both needed to grow in different ways and Louis was able to help us work on those areas while still nurturing our relationship. He helped us foster a healthy, happy and fulfilling marriage and has given us methods of effectively communicate with each other that we use every day."

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About Couples & Marriage Counseling

In the sacred journey of togetherness, every couple encounters moments where the seas get turbulent and the path seems obscured. At Louis Laves-Webb, LCSW, LPC-S & Associates, we offer a haven for your relationship to anchor during these storms, facilitating a space where love is rekindled, connections are deepened, and conflicts find resolution. Whether your partnership is navigating through calm waters or weathering the storm, our specialized couples and marriage counseling in Austin, Texas, stands ready to guide you both toward rediscovering the harmonious rhythm of your unique love story. 

"Very helpful and personable. Been seeing him for couple's counseling for several years and he's helped us through some tough times."

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Starting As Low As $100 Per Session!
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Benefits of Marriage Counseling

Many couples attend couples or premarital counseling to address potential challenges before they take the next step in their relationship. However, some issues only surface after marriage as you and your lives evolve. Marriage counseling offers numerous benefits that can profoundly impact your relationship. It is a form of talk therapy that provides a structured environment for couples to explore their issues with a trained professional, facilitating improved communication and understanding.

 

By addressing deep-rooted issues, marriage counseling helps couples navigate conflicts more effectively, fostering a healthier relationship dynamic. Whether you're dealing with ongoing disagreements or simply want to strengthen your bond, marriage counseling sessions with a licensed therapist can be a transformative experience that promotes emotional intimacy, mutual respect, and long-term satisfaction in your relationship.

Stats of Couples & Marriage Counseling

The realm of couples and marriage counseling has seen significant engagement and tangible outcomes in recent years. Approximately 752,370 couples annually take the step to enter couples therapy, showcasing the trust and value people place in the process. This commitment to relationship well-being is further evidenced by the fact that 3.4% of households have sought guidance from a marriage or couples therapist. Beyond the relational benefits, there's a broader impact on individual health. Research indicates a noteworthy 21.5% reduction in health care use as a result of engaging in couples therapy. This underscores not only the emotional and relational advantages but also the physical and mental well-being enhancements that couples and marriage therapy can bring about.

Phase 1: History Taking

Before beginning EMDR, your trauma therapist will get to know more about your experiences and symptoms. This step is for you to share about events in your past that may be affecting your current mindset.

Phase 2: Preparation

This stage is about ensuring your readiness for EMDR. Even though EMDR therapy for trauma is completely safe, it can be problematic for individuals who commonly experience dissociation. As a safeguard, your trauma therapist will work with you to create your own “calm place” to concentrate on if you feel distressed.

Phase 3: Assessment

It’s now time to choose a target to be reprocessed during your next few sessions. In doing so, you’ll need to identify a vivid image related to the memory, a negative cognition about yourself associated with it, and emotions and bodily sensations that accompany both. Your therapist will then have you challenge that negative cognition with a cognitive one. They will have you rate how true your positive cognition feels and how much distress the target memory causes you on a scale from 1-10.

Phase 4: Desensitization

This is where Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing comes into play. When you feel ready, your therapist will guide you to process your negative feelings and memories using bilateral eye movements to facilitate the brain’s healing process. This will help to ground you and take more directed focus on the thoughts, feelings, and images associated with your target. Every minute or so, your therapist will check in on what you’ve noticed and ask you to rate how much discomfort you’re now feeling. When you no longer report distress related to your targeted memory, you move onto the next step.

Phase 5: Installation

Next, your attention will be brought back to the positive cognition you identified earlier. Your trauma/PTSD therapist will recheck how true this belief now feels. The goal is to get this belief to feel like it’s 100 percent true.

Phase 6: Body Scan

You will now be asked to check your body for any areas of tension in your body caused by the target memory. Are your teeth clenched? Is your chest tight? Any uncomfortable physical sensations will be reprocessed using the same procedure as before until you can think of the target memory without feeling any tension.

Phase 7: Closure

At the end of every session, your trauma counselor will make sure that you are leaving feeling more relaxed than when you arrived. If you are feeling agitated, they will lead you through self-calming techniques until you regain your sense of control.

Phase 8: Reevaluation

At the beginning of each subsequent session, your therapist will ask you questions to ensure your positive beliefs have been maintained. This will also help them to identify any new problem areas that may need to be targeted.

EMDR therapy for trauma is considered a success once you are able to bring up memories of trauma without feeling the distress that brought you to therapy. Your trauma therapist will also provide you with the techniques and skills you need going forward to deal with upsetting feelings.

Common Myths About Marriage Counseling

“It’s too expensive.”

According to the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), marriage counseling costs 20% less than a psychologist’s fees, and 30% less than a psychiatrist’s fees. In fact, it is shown that 2/3 of marriage counselors are willing to lower their rates! (Under certain criteria, marriage counseling may be covered under most health insurance policies.)

“It’s just the last step before the inevitable divorce” or “We’re past the point of reconciliation.”

According to one study, just 3% of marriages divorced 4 years after completing insight-oriented marital therapy, and nearly one-third of marriages last after an affair has been admitted or discovered!

“It takes too long.”

The median length of family therapy is just 12 sessions, and 65% of cases are completed within 20 sessions. In fact, family therapy generally lasts 30% fewer sessions than individual therapy.

“It doesn’t make a difference.”

About one-half of all highly-distressed marriages in a 2011 study showed persistent signs of improvement 5 years later.

Common Issues Addressed with a Marriage Counselor

Marriage counseling can address a wide array of issues that married couples commonly face. Infidelity is a major issue that can severely damage trust, but with the right guidance, both you and your partner can work through the pain and trust issues to rebuild the relationship. Communication breakdowns are another common challenge, where couples struggle to express their needs and emotions effectively. Financial disagreements often lead to tension and resentment, but counseling can help couples navigate these conflicts and resolve issues by fostering open dialogue and finding compromise. Whether it's a major crisis or ongoing tension, working with a clinical psychologist provides the tools needed to address and overcome these challenges.

Improving Communication Skills through Marriage Counseling

All couples experience conflict, that is why effective communication is the cornerstone of a strong, healthy marriage. Unfortunately, many couples struggle with expressing their thoughts and feelings in a way that fosters understanding and connection. This is where marriage counseling can make a significant difference. Through guided sessions with a skilled therapist, couples can learn how to communicate more openly and effectively, helping to resolve conflicts and build a deeper emotional bond.

Marriage counseling provides a safe space for both partners to express their concerns and frustrations without fear of judgment. A professional counselor can help identify communication barriers and teach couples how to listen actively, speak more clearly, and understand each other's perspectives. By developing these skills in talk therapy, couples can navigate disagreements more constructively, reducing misunderstandings and enhancing overall relationship satisfaction.

Whether you're dealing with chronic miscommunication or just looking to strengthen your relationship, marriage counseling is a valuable tool for improving communication skills and fostering a more fulfilling partnership. By addressing communication issues head-on, you and your partner can develop healthier, more supportive ways of interacting that will benefit your marriage in the long term.

FAQs about Marriage Counseling Work

When should we seek marriage counseling?

It’s often recommended that you seek marriage counseling when you notice recurring conflicts, communication issues, or emotional distancing that you’re unable to resolve on your own. Marriage counseling works the best with early intervention to prevent these issues from escalating into more significant problems.

How many sessions are typically needed?

The duration of marriage counseling varies, but many couples begin to see improvements within 8-12 sessions. The exact number of sessions depends on the complexity of the issues and the couple's commitment to the process. Some couples may benefit from ongoing sessions to improve their conflict resolution skills and maintain progress to a healthy relationship.

What if my partner refuses or is hesitant about counseling?

It's common for one partner to feel unsure about counseling. It's important to approach the topic with understanding and emphasize the potential benefits for your relationship before you start marriage counseling. Sometimes, attending an initial session together can help alleviate concerns and foster a mutual commitment to the process.

How to Prepare for Marriage Counseling

Preparation is key to getting the most out of marriage counseling. Start by openly discussing your goals for counseling with your partner and what you hope to achieve. Reflect on your relationship’s strengths and areas for improvement, and be ready to share your thoughts honestly during sessions. It's also important to enter counseling with an open mind, ready to explore new perspectives, and willing to make changes. Consider keeping a journal to track your thoughts and progress throughout the process. This preparation can set a positive tone for your counseling experience, making it more effective and rewarding.
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Our Approach to Couples & Marriage Counseling in Austin, TX

At Louis Laves-Webb, LCSW, LPC-S & Associates, we fuse Gottman’s Research-Based Counseling and Emotion-Focused Couples Counseling. By following the best practices of the two most successful, results-driven methods for couples counseling, we can expect better patient outcomes.

Interested in learning more about our approach to couples and marriage counseling in Austin, TX? Schedule an initial consultation with one of our therapists today 

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Research-based therapy that is goal-oriented can help couples in counseling to:

  • Increase respect towards one another
  • Strengthen intimacy and affection
  • Resolve current and future conflicts
  • Develop a deeper understanding of each other
  • Communicate calmly and effectively
  • Maintain lasting improvements in their relationship

About Our Couples & Marriage Counseling Methodology

At Louis Laves-Webb, LCSW, LPC-S & Associates, we recognize that each relationship is unique and requires a tailored approach to therapy. Along with traditional couples and marriage counseling methods, we also employ a variety of specialized therapeutic techniques. These advanced approaches, grounded in extensive research and proven efficacy, cater to the diverse needs and circumstances of our clients. Whether addressing communication barriers, deep-seated emotional issues, or enhancing connection and intimacy, our goal is to offer comprehensive and effective solutions that foster healthier, more fulfilling relationships.

Imago Therapy

Imago Therapy is a unique approach to marriage counseling that emphasizes the connection between unresolved issues from one’s past and current relationship dynamics. Developed by Dr. Harville Hendrix, this therapy focuses on fostering communication that moves beyond blame to understanding and empathy. By guiding couples to explore their childhood experiences and the subconscious images they have of love, Imago Therapy helps partners understand each other’s feelings and needs deeply, promoting healing and transformative connections within the relationship.

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is a highly effective form of couples therapy that centers on the emotional bonds between partners. Based on the principles of attachment theory, EFT seeks to strengthen or rebuild the emotional attachment by encouraging the expression of deep-seated emotions and needs. Developed by Dr. Sue Johnson, this approach helps couples identify the patterns and cycles that drive their conflicts, enabling them to respond to each other in more loving and supportive ways, thus fostering a stronger, more secure bond.

Gottman Approach

The Gottman Approach to couples therapy, developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman, is grounded in over four decades of research with thousands of couples. This method emphasizes a nuts-and-bolts approach to improving relationship satisfaction and addresses areas from conflict management and intimacy to shared dreams and values. The Gottman Method uses thorough assessments and practical interventions to help couples strengthen their relationships in three key areas: friendship and intimacy, conflict management, and creation of shared meaning. It is well-known for its effectiveness in revitalizing marriages by fostering respect, affection, and closeness.

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Get Back On Track with Your Partnership.

Regain trust & reconnect with Marriage Counseling

Your Therapy, Your Choice

In-Person Therapy Or Teletherapy

Face-to-face counseling offers the comfort of being in an office setting, greater access to subtle psychological nuances that occur in person, and it helps to prevent possible outside interruptions.

Teletherapy counseling offers convenience, a therapeutically accessible and viable means of benefiting from therapy, and because it occurs in your own environment, it can allow you to feel more at ease and comfortable.

Why Choose a Local Therapist

  • Face-to-face Connection
  • Enhanced Communication
  • Immediate Support
  • Local Resources and Referrals
  • Privacy and Confidentiality

Patient Feedback

98.1%

rated services good or excellent

97.1%

got the kind of help they desired

91.2%

were satisfied with the amount of help they received

93%

said they helped in dealing more effectively with problems

96.9%

would recommend their therapist to a friend

94.3%

would return to the same therapist

97.4%

were generally satisfied with the service they received

Phase 1: History Taking

Before beginning EMDR, your trauma therapist will get to know more about your experiences and symptoms. This step is for you to share about events in your past that may be affecting your current mindset.

Phase 2: Preparation

This stage is about ensuring your readiness for EMDR. Even though EMDR therapy for trauma is completely safe, it can be problematic for individuals who commonly experience dissociation. As a safeguard, your trauma therapist will work with you to create your own “calm place” to concentrate on if you feel distressed.

Phase 3: Assessment

It’s now time to choose a target to be reprocessed during your next few sessions. In doing so, you’ll need to identify a vivid image related to the memory, a negative cognition about yourself associated with it, and emotions and bodily sensations that accompany both. Your therapist will then have you challenge that negative cognition with a cognitive one. They will have you rate how true your positive cognition feels and how much distress the target memory causes you on a scale from 1-10.

Phase 4: Desensitization

This is where Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing comes into play. When you feel ready, your therapist will guide you to process your negative feelings and memories using bilateral eye movements to facilitate the brain’s healing process. This will help to ground you and take more directed focus on the thoughts, feelings, and images associated with your target. Every minute or so, your therapist will check in on what you’ve noticed and ask you to rate how much discomfort you’re now feeling. When you no longer report distress related to your targeted memory, you move onto the next step.

Phase 5: Installation

Next, your attention will be brought back to the positive cognition you identified earlier. Your trauma/PTSD therapist will recheck how true this belief now feels. The goal is to get this belief to feel like it’s 100 percent true.

Phase 6: Body Scan

You will now be asked to check your body for any areas of tension in your body caused by the target memory. Are your teeth clenched? Is your chest tight? Any uncomfortable physical sensations will be reprocessed using the same procedure as before until you can think of the target memory without feeling any tension.

Phase 7: Closure

At the end of every session, your trauma counselor will make sure that you are leaving feeling more relaxed than when you arrived. If you are feeling agitated, they will lead you through self-calming techniques until you regain your sense of control.

Phase 8: Reevaluation

At the beginning of each subsequent session, your therapist will ask you questions to ensure your positive beliefs have been maintained. This will also help them to identify any new problem areas that may need to be targeted.

EMDR therapy for trauma is considered a success once you are able to bring up memories of trauma without feeling the distress that brought you to therapy. Your trauma therapist will also provide you with the techniques and skills you need going forward to deal with upsetting feelings.

How Our Patients Feel

"Very helpful and personable.  Been seeing him for couple's counseling for several years and he's helped us through some tough times."

"Louis is a really great listener. He not only listens, but he HEARS you. I have never felt so understood by a therapist before. He is great at guiding you toward a more honest approach at an emotionally balanced life. He doesn't judge and is always welcoming. My appointments with Louis always left me feeling empowered and ready to face the week."

"I’ve been going here consistently for several years and have been nothing short of amazed at the experience (and results)."

Benefits of Online Therapy

Why Get Better Help, When You Can Get the Best Help

TeleTherapy aims to make therapy more accessible. Gone are the days where you have to request time off or account for travel time to attend therapy. Instead, eliminate the commute and schedule your online therapy session at a time that works for you! Our therapists are very adaptable and offer therapy via phone call, or Zoom — whatever you prefer. And unlike national therapy providers, we’re all based in Austin, so we’re familiar with the city, its culture, its diversity, and the slow-moving traffic on I-35. By speaking to an Austin therapist, your sessions may have more context and background than speaking to someone on the other side of the country. Let’s get started!

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Get Your Relationship Back On Track With Couples & Marriage Counseling in Austin, TX

If your relationship is on the rocks, the therapists at Louis Laves-Webb, LCSW, LPC-S can help you get it back on track. Contact us online or over the phone to schedule a free consultation.