Trust in Relationships, Couples Counseling Asheville NC
I encourage you to think of trust as a force of momentum. Trust is in a state of perpetual flux. It is either growing or dwindling depending on a variety of personal and interpersonal relationship factors. When the relationship feels safe and secure, trust is growing. When there are decreased feelings of safety and security, trust is diminishing. If trust dwindles past a certain threshold it can - and will - lead to the relationship ending.
My goal for this newsletter is to consider:
The dynamics of trust and betrayal in a relationship.
How you can shift the momentum to improve trust and safety with your partner(s).
The Practice of Nonviolent Communication in Mindfulness-Based Counseling, Asheville NC
Nonviolent communication (NVC) seeks to combine (1) consciousness, (2) language, (3) communication, and (4) sharing influence in order to increase our feelings of connection, choice, and empathy with others.
Counseling for the Polyamorous (ENM) Community in Western NC
You have likely heard the terms ‘Consensual Non-Monogamy’ (CNM) or ‘Ethical Non-Monogamy’ (ENM). Whether this came up during conversations with peers exploring polyamory, on dating app profiles, or in the news as a trending topic, non-monogamy is growing in the public sphere. I work with several clients who are either actively in polyamorous relationships or are curious about being in one. For some, that looks like being partnered with multiple people and for others, it’s simply opening their relationships up to new experiences. It’s important to recognize that ENM looks different for every person and every relationship.
My goal as a counselor is to understand each of my client’s world views so that I can better align with them and their goals for counseling. Thus, educating myself about ENM has been a priority this year as more clients practicing polyamory have come through my door.
Healthier Communication in Relationships, Asheville NC Mindfulness Counseling
I work with several clients who are in or are seeking a relationship. It is a common experience to struggle with your loved ones. One of my clinical interests as a counselor is understanding how and why the people we love can elicit the strongest emotions.
This newsletter will focus on using mindfulness in relationship with others. The hope is that we can turn to the present moment when experiencing escalated emotions and afford ourselves the opportunity to pause, breathe, and choose a response rather than a reaction.