Couples Therapy According to Kristen and Dax

For a change, some great news is making the social media rounds: Couples therapy can be good for relationships! Real-life couple Kristen Bell (Frozen, Veronica Mars) and Dax Shepard (Parenthood) gave an interview to Good Housekeeping where they candidly spoke about attending couples therapy. It's a fun interview, and I particularly wanted to point out a couple of quotes.

Kristen said "I didn't realize that I needed a much bugger toolbox to have confrontations and disagreements with people." Being in a relationship can be wonderful, but it also means that person will be able to make you more upset than you ever thought you could be! Couples therapy is a safe place to discuss difficult topics and emotions, and get "tools" (e.g., communication skills, specific behavioral strategies) for dealing with inevitable conflict. Kristen also compares going to therapy to using a personal trainer or a recipe - note that you're doing hard work, but the results are worth it!

Dax said "In my previous relationship, we went to couples'therapy at the end, and that's often too late. You can't go after nine years and start figuring out what patterns you're in." It's true that most people treat couples therapy as a last resort - what you try before hiring a lawyer. It's much more effective to use couples therapy as a preventive and maintenance strategy - learn what to do before things get bad, and then get regular boosters, since it's easier to get lazy!

Kristen said "There may be something that really hurt your feelings that you're scared to bring up. Go talk about it with a therapist who can mediate. You'll walk out of the room feeling like you're [on the same] team." The ultimate goal of therapy is to have partners working together for a healthy relationship, knowing that they can always come back if needed!

Remember, you can get low-cost couples therapy at Pfeiffer Institute Reach. Call 919-941-2900 or email contact@pfeifferreach.org today for your appointment!
Laura Bryan, PhD, LMFT
Clinic Director, Pfeiffer Institute Reach 

Child Abuse Prevention Month

April is designated Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time set aside to focus our awareness on the importance of a happy, healthy childhood. Children thrive when there are loving and supportive adults in their lives, and thriving children result in a healthy and balanced community. When children are neglected or abused, it affects their development for years to come, causing personal and community cost. 

This month, learn what you can do to make your home and community safe and supportive for children. You can find a lot of great information at Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina. If you need support, remember you can always reach out to Pfeiffer Institute Reach for low cost individual, couple, or family therapy. We want to help you make the changes you need.

Reach for a better tomorrow!

Happy Easter!

For I remember it is Easter morn,

And life and love and peace are all new born.

~Alice Freeman Palmer

All of us here at Pfeiffer Institute Reach wish you a joyous and peaceful Easter,

 spent with loving family and friends. 

Take today to relax and celebrate. 

If you need us, you can Reach  for a better tomorrow...tomorrow!