Couples Therapy 101

Are you considering couples therapy, but you have concerns about how to bring it up with your partner? Here are five tips that may help:


1. Ask gently and at a good time. Never bring up the topic of couples therapy in the middle of a fight or as an ultimatum. Find a time when you and your partner are calm (and not tired or hungry) Let him/her know that you value your relationship but would like it to be better in some important ways. Share your fears and be willing to be vulnerable.


2. Do not blame or criticize. Focus on what you would like to improve in yourself to make the relationship better. For instance, “I would like to learn how to communicate with you better, without arguing or fighting.” Always use “I” statements.


3. Explain the importance of his or her participation. If your partner participates, the therapist will learn a lot about your relationship by observing both of you together and by hearing both points of view. Your partner’s contributions to therapy are valuable.


4. Tell them what to expect. A good therapist takes a neutral stance and avoids taking sides. This is an advantage over asking friends or family for advice. Therapy allows both of you to reach your own conclusions regarding what is best.


5. Ask them to help you choose a therapist. At DC Talk Therapy, you can schedule a free phone consultation with our couples therapist, Yvany Peery. During the 15-minute call, your partner can ask questions and see if it’s a good fit.

Call 202.588.1288 or email us at info@dctalktherapy.com to make an appointment today.

Tip of the Month

We all have to do some amount of networking for our job. While it's not everyone's favorite task, here are two tips to make it more pleasant:


One, instead of feeling like you need to promote or “sell” yourself to others, educate others in the room on what you may be able to do for them.


Second, go into events being curious and kind, which leads to asking a lot of questions about others, taking some of the pressure off yourself.


What We're Reading

Colored Television

By Danzy Senna


This popular novel, which was published earlier this year, explores issues of biracial identity, self-reinvention, and the struggle between art and commerce.


The protagonist, Jane Gibson, is a biracial university professor who has spent nearly a decade writing an extensive book on the history of "mulattos," a term she uses for those of biracial heritage. Her agent disapproves of the book and suggests abandoning it. So, Jane decides to write a TV show about a “kooky but lovable mulatto family”, which presents its own set of challenges.


Senna, who teaches writing at the University of Southern California, has published five other novels, including the bestselling Caucasia.


Amazon, $23.56 paperback.

What We're Watching

Nobody Wants This


This Netflix romantic comedy follows the unexpected relationship between Noah, a newly single rabbi (played by Adam Brody), and Joanne, an agnostic sex and dating podcaster (played by Kristen Bell).


The show, which debuted last month, consists of 10 episodes. It explores themes of interfaith dating and the challenges of dating in mid-life, as both characters are in their late 30s to early 40s.


The series is often quite funny, with some of the best moments featuring Noah's bumbling older brother, Sasha.

What We're Listening To

How I Built This

 

This podcast, hosted by Guy Raz, covers the highs and lows of entrepreneurship and is one of the most popular in the US, attracting nearly 19 million listeners each month.


It features interviews with founders who share their experiences with failure, doubt, resiliency, and insights into their eventual success. Recent guests include Kat Harris from 21Seeds, a tequila company, and Rod Cuthbert from Viator, an online vacation booking platform.


Raz, the host, is an excellent interviewer, both curious and engaging. Before launching How I Built This in 2016, he hosted TED Radio Hour and was the weekend host of All Things Considered on NPR.


Available on Wondery.

Our Clinical Team

Did you know that if you're a former client of DC Talk Therapy, you can still schedule sessions with your previous therapist, even if it’s just once a month?


Here’s a link to get started: https://DCTalkTherapy.therapyclient.com

DC Talk Therapy | info@dctalktherapy.com | 202.588.1288 | dctalktherapy.com
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