FAQs
Answers to Common Questions About Relationships, Sex, and Couples Therapy
It’s not uncommon to feel discomfort when working with a new therapist for the first time or uncertain about starting a therapeutic agenda. I do want to reassure you and alleviate your anxiety so I put together a list of common questions about working with a relationship therapist.
If you have any questions, concerns, or comments and want to hear from me directly, reach out to me and I can address each and every question you have. My goal is to make this process as comfortable as possible - so you can manage the conflicts in your life, make better choices, and cultivate satisfying relationships.
My specialty in my practice is managing the topics in and around the complexities of relationships. I am most effective working with any individual or couple who can make the commitment to level up and understand that I have many resources readily available for you to reach the goals you are seeking. Making the decision to confront behavior that has never worked is identified and recognized as behavior needing attention. Not everyone is ready to confront new ways of getting comfortable from what creates discomfort, but those who are committed can experience the energy and vitality that can replace old paradigms with new ones.
As part of my practice, I also offer sex and/or couples therapy to help my clients manage the topics in most areas of their life, especially around the topics of sex and money realities. To learn more about the types of therapy I offer, check out my Services tab.The goal of relationship therapy is to help you manage the conflicts in your relationships — with your partner, family members, friends, coworkers, or any other relationships you value. Together, we'll apply proven therapeutic techniques to help you de-escalate any tensions and move toward viable ways of managing the topic/s challenging you.
This results in many benefits, such as:
-
Improving your identity.
-
Making better choices designed to minimize future conflict.
-
Feeling more confident and stop doubting your desirability.
-
Managing conflicts more effectively.
-
Establishing healthier relationships.
-
When you learn how to use these techniques and become comfortable making different choices, you can start forming healthier and happier bonds with those you value. This will lead you to more satisfying relationships in your life.
-
One of the goals of therapy is education. I want to help you learn more about yourself, your partner, and the equilibrium of the relationship itself.
Couples therapy also empowers you to observe and improve your behavior, communication, and feelings toward yourself and your partner. This allows you to focus more on strengthening your connection and intimacy with what you value most.Sex therapy is a specific type of therapy that identifies how you view topics around sex, intimacy, and vitality — and whether there’s a specific problem with your partner or a larger issue/s in your private logic. This can include concerns, such as understanding more about:
-
Loss or lack of intimacy
-
Desire discrepancies
-
Health concerns
-
Mental blocks or distractions
-
Faith-based concerns
-
Feelings of guilt, shame, or judgment
-
Aging or physical changes
My goal is not limited to creating a space for you to feel safe enough to be vulnerable. Think about it this way, sex is easy to have, but is often hard to talk about. Sex therapy can help you deepen your relationship with your partner, reclaim the vitality and intimacy that was once present and discover even more about yourself.
-
My clinical experiences are very diverse and strategic, including training in stringent settings, such as:
-
Private practice psychological and psychiatric settings.
-
Acute care psychiatric facilities.
-
Inpatient dual diagnosis rehabilitation facilities.
-
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs).
-
Adult mental health services.
-
To better assist my clients, I also make efforts to get as much formal education in these areas as possible. In addition to my academic background, I have secured licenses and certifications from these institutions:
-
AASECT Certified Sex Therapist
-
Choice Theory Advanced Training
-
Gottman Level 3 Training
-
Master of Education in Counseling
-
Master of Science in Human Resource Development
I draw on all of my training and experience so I can encourage and guide my clients as they navigate their relationships. Because topics like sex and money create power polarities that are complex, complicated, and misunderstood.
-
Sooner than you might think. I offer multiple service options for my clients: routine therapy sessions, intensive couples therapy, and on-demand appointments.
For a routine therapy session, I’m able to see you within a week or less. I offer prompt availability to my clients because my goal is to not let your relationship topics go unaddressed one day longer than necessary.
Once you’re on my calendar, we can schedule weekly sessions or meet on an as-needed basis. It’s completely up to you!
For an on-demand therapy session, I’m able to see you within 48 hours. I provide a unique service called Doug-on-Demand so I can connect with you in a timely manner.
My practice is designed to accomodate last minute requests and minimize delays as best as possible. I do my best to offer an efficient scheduling process designed to minimize wait time.
Why? Because I don’t believe you should let your relationship conflicts simmer for days or weeks on end. I encourage you to reach out to me when you feel the need to address your presenting topic/s. In return, my schedule is designed to meet with you in a week or less.
When your relationship feels like it is imploding and you are looking for professional help, I created three simple steps to address and manage the topic/s:
Head over to my Contact page and fill in your information.
Look out for a call from me within 24 hours for your free 15-minute consultation.
Set up our first appointment together within the next week.
From that point on, we’ll continue to meet daily, weekly, monthly, or on an as-needed basis.
Whether you’re attending an individual or couples therapy session, it’s not uncommon to feel anxious and uncomfortable. There are a lot of unknowns. To alleviate these feelings, I recommend coming prepared with any information or materials you would like to discuss so we can establish a therapeutic rapport effectively and efficiently.
I also want to assure you that my goal is to establish the therapeutic rapport and provide a safe space for you to openly speak with me. My goals for you are to establish alignment — I want to find the best possible ways to manage the topics in your life and relationships that are simply uncomfortable. Let's face the facts, no one comes to me when they win the lottery or when things are working so well.Yes. All of my sessions are conducted virtually, unless other arrangements are made in advance. Before your session, you’ll receive a link from me to join the session.
Yes. I’m licensed to work with clients who live in Texas, Louisiana, and Colorado. So if you’re from these states, I’m able to help.
Yes, you’ll be required to complete the New Client Forms before your first appointment with me. This will help establish the framework around confidentiality and HIPAA guidelines for our sessions. You’ll also learn about me, my practice, and client policies.
All information will be completed online through a secure and safe server. Your information will remain confidential and secure.Yes, I accept most traditional insurance plans, not limited to:
-
Aetna
-
BlueCross BlueShield
-
Cigna
-
United Health Care
To verify acceptance of your plan, please contact me prior to your first visit.
-
I reserve all your appointments in advance. If your schedule changes and you are no longer able to make your appointment, I ask that you inform me as soon as possible.
If I receive your cancellation request at least 24 hours in advance, you will not be charged. I’m also happy to reschedule your appointment for a more convenient date.
If you do not provide me with at least 24 hours' notice, you will be charged the full cost of the session. Then we can schedule a makeup appointment at your earliest convenience.