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alex@communicationforcouples.com 15 East Main St, Ste 302 Westminster, MD 21157 (443) 974-8868
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Counseling for Couples and Families Alexandra Goerl Rickeman, LCMFT |
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Counselor in Westminster, MD providing marriage counseling and family therapy |
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...helping you stop fighting and start talking... |
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Services |
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It is normal for couples to begin fighting and stop talking when issues like parenting, finances, personality differences and more cause disagreements or distance in the relationship.
Couples therapy focused on communication provides the opportunity to learn new skills for talking, listening, and truly understanding each other. You can then discuss what you want and need from each other. Finally, you can work together to solve disagreements.
Couples who are considering separating also find this kind of therapy helpful for figuring out whether or not to continue working on the relationship.
See Communication Program for information about a 14-week program for improving communication in your relationship. |
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Marriage Counseling
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Individual therapy is an opportunity for you to focus on yourself. You may feel you need the time and space to think and talk about current issues you are facing. Individuals commonly choose therapy when facing issues such as: breaking up, feeling “blue,” worrying, dissatisfaction in current circumstances, or wanting to improve oneself.
Individuals usually report feeling supported and understood in this process. Having this experience can lead to feeling empowered and taking action towards creating what you want and need for yourself and/or you relationships with others.
Some individuals also request to learn the communication skills that I use with couples. This can be a valuable process as these skills can be used when speaking with anyone from an intimate partner to your parents to your doctor. These skills help you express yourself clearly, receive a good response from the person with whom you are speaking, and get solutions that really work. |
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Individual Therapy |
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Even if you have already made the decision to separate, therapy can be extremely helpful for your family. You can separate peacefully from your spouse and help your children adjust to the divorce.
For you: This counseling focuses on helping you develop a healthy, functioning relationship as ex-spouses and co-parents. Developing strategies for parenting and learning to function together in new roles can help to make the best out of a bad situation.
For your kids: Counseling helps the entire family express feelings about the divorce and develop skills for coping with the changes in family structure. Your children can have a special family experience and learn how to express emotions, resolve conflict, and cope with difficulties.
See Considering Divorce? for more information. |
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Family Therapy: Divorce |
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Parents commonly have difficulty with their children’s behaviors. Family therapy can improve children’s behavior and family functioning.
When children or adolescents act out or begin to behave in undesirable ways, it can be a sign that they feeling things they cannot or will not express.
Sometimes the best way to fix these behaviors is to provide an environment where the whole family can share what they are thinking and feeling. As a family, you can talk through your feelings and figure out ways to have a more peaceful family.
This form of therapy is similar to the popular TV shows "Nanny 911" or "Super Nanny" in which the nanny helps parents learn new ways to effectively lead, guide, and enjoy the family.
I can also provide Filial Therapy. In this form of therapy, parents learn how to provide a unique play experience for their children. This kind of play helps children: work out things that are stressing them, manage behavior problems, learn new ways to express themselves in healthy ways, cope with difficult family situations like separation, divorce, death, remarriage. I was trained by Louise Guerney, PhD, one of the original developers of this kind of therapy, at the National Institute of Relationship Enhancement (NIRE). |
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Family Counseling: Children who are Acting Out |
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Presentations |
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I am available to give presentations to organizations, agencies, schools, or other groups.
I can present information on various topics that may interest or benefit your group.
I have presented to groups regarding models of therapy, basic family systems theory, communication skills, and parenting techniques. I am also skilled at leading group discussion.
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Counseling: Finances |
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Are you and your partner fighting about finances? Do you disagree about how to spend money, how to save money, and how money is handled in general? I provide assistance to couples who are fighting about finances. I have been trained in a government-financed program that enables me to help couples resolve their disagreements about money and plan for the future. This kind of therapy is short term (1-6 sessions) depending on your needs and current situation. **This service is offered pro bono (i.e. at no cost) basis depending on your circumstances and needs.** Note: I am not a financial advisor. I do not provide financial advice regarding how to invest your money, which bank to use, etc. I am qualified instead to help you assess your financial situation, learn about each other’s views about money, and develop strategies to accomplish your individual and couple financial goals.
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