Couples Therapy Los Angeles
Takeaway: Every relationship takes work. Sometimes, you can get stuck in old patterns, especially when you and your partner have been together for years. Couples therapy in Los Angeles can help you break free from the dynamics that are no longer serving you. Together, we can find new ways for you and your partner to connect, leaving your relationship stronger than ever.
Does this sound like you?
Most people begin couples therapy as a last resort. They have tried everything they can think of to make their relationship better, but nothing seems to be working. At times, you might feel like you want to give up, just because you feel hopeless that things could get better between you two.
I'm here to remind you that having challenges in your relationship doesn't mean that it's doomed. Every couple struggles from time to time, and you both deserve support in navigating your relationship problems. You don't have to do it alone.
Working with a relationship counselor in Los Angeles can provide you with a safe environment to express your needs, desires, and boundaries. Together, we can build on your existing strengths and find creative new solutions to help you both feel more connected. Reach out to start the process today.
learn more about me
Meet Gayane Aramyan, LMFT
As a licensed marriage and family therapist, I help couples like you navigate the postpartum period and all of the stressors it can bring. I see clients in person at my office in Sherman Oaks, and I also offer online therapy.
I graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a bachelor's degree in Psychology before earning my master's degree in clinical psychology from Pepperdine University. I've been trained in several different therapeutic approaches, and perinatal mental health is a special interest of mine-especially being a mom myself.
As a couples therapist in Los Angeles, I work collaboratively with people in intimate relationships to help them connect and grow. Whether you and your partner are struggling with communication issues, infidelity or other breaches of trust, or simply want to address common relationship issues, I'm here to help.
My approach to couples counseling draws from my training in Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples (EFT). This approach to therapy is based on attachment theory, which suggests that our early relationships with our caregivers provides a blueprint for the rest of our significant relationships-including our connection with our partner.
If our caregivers consistently tended to our needs (emotional and otherwise), we likely develop a secure attachment style, meaning that we trust ourselves and others. However, if our caregivers were unable to consistently meet our needs, we might develop an insecure attachment style, which can cause instability in our future relationships.
During couples therapy, we'll explore how these patterns show up with you and your partner. We'll also uncover and shift unconscious beliefs that might impact how you interact with each other.
This reflection process can contribute to your personal growth, as well as your growth as a couple. Together, we'll find new ways of interacting that will enable you to both communicate openly and effectively, allowing you to better understand each other (and yourselves).
If you feel ready to start the marriage counseling process, or are simply curious to hear more about my approach, I encourage you to reach out. I'm happy to address any questions you have, as well as discuss your unique situation and how I can help.
My approach to couples therapy in Los Angeles
WHO I HELP AS A RELATIONSHIP THERAPIST IN LOS ANGELES
All of the couples that I work with have their own stressors, strengths, needs, hopes, boundaries, and goals-no two couples are exactly the same. However, there are often similarities. Here are just a few examples of the types of issues I help with as a relationship therapist in Los Angeles:
Challenges with communication
Problems with intimacy-physical, emotional, and otherwise
Infidelity and other breaches of trust
Feeling stuck in a rut
Navigating parenthood, especially as new parents
Stressors related to money, work, chronic illness, and more
Feeling disconnected from each other
Couples considering separation or divorce
Life transitions such as moving, job changes, and more
Struggling with a different issue? Don't worry-this isn't an exhaustive list. If you feel like we might be a fit for each other, I encourage you to contact me. Give me a sense of what's going on and I can let you know whether I'm able to support you and your partner.
How couples counseling in Los Angeles can help you and your partner
I work with each of my couples to create a customized treatment plan. This helps us stay focused on your goals for relationship counseling. With that being said, many of the couples I work with experience similar benefits from marriage counseling. Here are just a few…
Improve Mental Health
While there might be the tendency to view mental health issues as something to deal with on our own, studies suggest that couples therapy can be helpful in improving mental health-perhaps even more effective that individual therapy. After all, mental health issues can have ripple effects into every area of our life-including relationships.
Learn Communication Skills
Communication is a common struggle for many couples. In marriage counseling, you can learn more about each other's communication styles, helping you better understand each other and express yourselves. This can also help reduce conflict.
Develop Empathy
Relationship counseling can help you and your partner better understand each other-and yourselves. This increased self awareness, along with a more intimate understanding of the needs, emotions, and boundaries of your partner, can help you have more compassion for your partner and yourself. In fact, research has shown that marriage counseling can help boost empathy in couples.
Grow Self Esteem
Couples counseling can give you hope for the future of your relationship. At the same time, it can also help both of you feel better about yourselves. Marriage counseling has also been shown to increase feelings of self acceptance among couples.
Improve Intimacy
Many couples struggle with intimacy at some point during the course of their relationship. Thankfully, these issues don't have to be permanent. Research shows that couples therapy can address all aspects of intimacy: emotional, intellectual, physical, psychological, relationship, and sexual intimacy.
FAQs about relationship counseling in Los Angeles
Many couples feel hesitant about seeking marriage counseling because they're unsure if they need it or what it entails. Here, I've addressed several of the questions that couples therapists frequently receive about relationship therapy in Los Angeles. However, if you'd like to discuss your questions directly, I encourage you to reach out.
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Many couples wonder if their relationship is "bad enough" to seek marriage counseling. Still others worry that their relationship is "too far gone" for couples counseling to help. While these are all valid feelings, I'm a firm believer that it's never too early or too late to get support.
Every couple has a different breaking point. For some, it's an instance of infidelity. For others, it's near-constant arguing. Still others reach a place where issues related sex and intimacy have become too intense to ignore.
As a marriage and family therapist, I believe that all couples can benefit from therapy. Counseling is a space where you and your partner carve out intentional time together, and you can learn new ways of relating that can foster lasting change for the better.
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It can feel vulnerable, and even totally uncomfortable at first, to speak with a couples counselor. After all, you're being asked to share the most intimate details about your relationship. This can be hard, especially when you're already struggling.
Marriage counselors know this and take steps to make the therapeutic process accessible to everyone. During our work together, I aim to make our shared therapy space a place where you can feel safe to be your authentic self. We'll go at a pace that feels right for the both of you.
Talking to a marriage and family therapist can provide you with a different perspective on your relationship. As someone who cares about your relationship but isn't intimately involved in your day to day lives, I can act as a sounding board and provide helpful feedback that might be difficult to receive from each other or even someone in your personal lives.
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Each person and couple has a different experience with marriage and family therapy. There are many personal factors that can influence your time in therapy, including your attitude about couples counseling, your own unique struggles and strengths, as well as your goals for therapy.
With that being said, there are a few tips I give all of my marriage counseling clients to help them get the most out of therapy.
One of the major factors that helps couples benefit from Los Angeles couples therapy is being present in session. This goes beyond being physically present, though that's important, of course. Being emotionally present is also essential to helping you both address the underlying issues within your relationship.
It's also important to practice what you learn in session during scenarios in your everyday life. Your time in marriage counseling is important, but it's only a small portion of your week. Incorporating the skills you learn outside of session can help you get the best results.
Build a better relationship with the help of a couples therapist in Los Angeles
As a licensed marriage and family therapist, I'm passionate about helping couples rekindle their connection and find ways to make their bond stronger than ever before. I've seen firsthand how Los Angeles couples therapy can transform relationships, and I'd be happy to help the both of you get there, too.
I recognize how vulnerable it can be to reach out for help in times of stress. Many couples never get the support they need because stigma and shame prevent them from reaching out. However, know that it takes courage to ask for help. By doing so, you can create the healthy relationship you both want.
If you're interested in starting couples counseling in Los Angeles, I'm ready to help. Reach out today to get started and learn more about whether we might be a good fit for each other. I look forward to hearing from you!
