Couples and Marriage Counseling
You may have arrived here because…
Within your marriage or relationship infidelity has occurred.
Your marriage or relationship has become so disconnected you are at a loss with what to do.
Trauma has occurred within the marriage or relationship, therefore you’ve decided to try couples counseling.
The marriage or relationship is trying to create a relationship under God or get back to being in that place.
One of the spouses is struggling with addiction
You are at the brink of divorce and are exploring your last option.
It’s midnight as you walk into the spare bedroom for the third time in a week to go to bed. The exhaustion you experience is unlike any other. Staying up that late is rarely something you do during the week, but you did because, yet another fight happened. A fight that you are still trying to figure out how it escalated so quickly. You replay the fight repeatedly in your mind and cannot understand why your question triggered your spouse/partner so heavily.
The last thing you wanted was more confrontation. You think about how you told yourself you are not going to allow yourself to escalate again. Only to be frustrated that things ended up escalating more than ever before. These escalating arguments make you worry about what your kids are possibly hearing. As you sit on the edge of the bed you begin to break down into tears, wondering when everything fell apart. This makes you think further on the fights, lack of communication, and disconnect you’re feeling in your marriage/relationship.
As you sit thinking about the past, present, and future of your marriage/relationship your emotions begin to overwhelm you. You cry out to God, “WHY!” You sit there for a few moments waiting for an answer that does not come. You wonder if He even hears you at all? You crawl into bed feeling like you have an elephant on your chest.
Your battered mind and body desperately desires sleep but instead you toss and turn from the weight of the stress, fear, and uncertainty. After all, the disconnect in the marriage/relationship has become so severe you are not sure if tomorrow will mark the day you both go your separate ways.
Whether your story matches the one above, I want you to know that saving your marriage/relationship is possible!
What is your story?
A connected and loving marriage is possible after hard times.
Envision going to sleep in your bedroom and being able to actually sleep. As you are laying there beginning to doze off you recognize that you are feeling more connected to your spouse/partner than you ever have before. In fact, as you lay next to your spouse/partner you feel the desire to snuggle closer to them.
When you arrived home from work the two of you had this beautiful moment sitting on the couch sharing about your days. As you discussed your day you talked about things that happened that caused you anxiety or frustration. Instead of getting defensive or brushing you off your spouse/partner made you feel heard and validated. They sat on the couch facing you, while making eye contact. Something that hasn’t happened in years. As you spoke they acknowledged that they heard you and were invested in what you were saying. This made you feel scene and heard in a way that hasn’t ever happened.
While you both are talking you think about how good the moment feels. In the past, even a conversation as simple as this would have created an argument. As you sit together you actually desire to talk more. You think about the journey you and your spouse/partner have been on. One of many ups and downs, but even though your journey together hasn’t been easy you are so happy you both didn’t give up.
Christian Counseling
Christian counseling isn’t like secular counseling. In Christian counseling the goal isn’t to simply heal the body. Christian counseling seeks to go deeper and help heal your spirit. With that, Christian counseling isn’t like going to church on Sunday. Your therapist isn’t going to have you sit in their office for 50 minutes while they preach to you on how to fix your problems. The Christian counseling conducted at Set A Part Counseling begins by understanding your pain points. Once those pain points are established the clinician then utilizes the bible and evidence based mental health approaches to help heal those wounds.
Amanda Rippee Can Help
There is no greater passion I have than to help couples find their relationship under God, heal from the traumas they have experienced, and discover the beautiful purpose they hold. It is because of this passion that in 2016 I started my masters in marriage and family therapy (MFT). I knew from a young age God created me to help people, but it wasn’t until I was in undergrad that I discovered how I would help others. It was then a few years after achieving my first master’s degree that I felt God call me to take the leap to open a practice focusing exclusively on Christian Counseling. With that push I knew that I wanted to be able to offer outstanding services to my clients. So, here I was again going back to school to get a master’s in ministry. Fast forward to today and I am beyond blessed to say that I get to wake up everyday and help couples. In my therapy I take a forthright genuine approach. Seeking to meet my clients exactly where they are on their journey. All while utilizing evidence based mental health approaches and the biblical principles of the Bible. I am so excited for your healing and hope I can be the one to help you in that process.
FAQs about Couples Counseling
Frequently Asked Questions about Couples Counseling
Is couples counseling right for us?
Couples counseling is right for any couple that wants to better their relationship, has experienced a trauma within the relationship, or is at the crisis point of not knowing if the relationship will last. I understand that couples counseling seems scary because of the unknown of it all. Nonetheless, I can tell you firsthand that couples counseling is about healing both people so that the relationship can last. Will it be challenging and hard, absolutely! But, anything worth fighting for always is.
Amanda, if we are not suffering with trauma/crisis can we still see you?
Yes! While my bread and butter is trauma counseling, I LOVE working with couples trying to navigate everyday couples issues.
I’ve never been to counseling before, what should I expect?
First, I want to congratulate you on taking the big leap to ask for help! Second, I want you to take any TV or movie references of counseling and throw it out of your brain. Like anything in movies, there is a small percentage that is accurate.
Counseling can take on many different forms. This is all due to the client and what they are coming to counseling to achieve. This can also change depending on the therapist the individual wants to utilize. When a client is working with me I take a direct approach, while also trying to make sure that laughter is in the session. Yes, laughter is allowed! You don’t have to show up every session upset. If you do show up that way, great! Counseling is about coming exactly how you are and figuring out how to heal all of those parts of you.
What if we have done couples counseling before?
If you have participated in couples counseling previously that is totally fine! We can either continue where you left off, look at the previous issues and address them again, or begin working on new goals.
Is couples counseling only for those that are married?
No! Couples counseling is for any couple struggling in their relationship or desire to make their relationship better.
How long will we spend in therapy?
I wish I could answer this question. Unfortunately, how long therapy will take is relative to many factors. It is because of all of those varying factors that there is no way any therapist can tell a client how long they will or will not be in therapy.
Because you have a Master’s in Ministry do you approach therapy like a pastor does?
No I do not. While my master’s is in ministry, the ministry I do is very different to a pastor. My ministry is as a Christian therapist. That looks like taking our Christian faith, making it the forefront, and then coming in with the therapeutic knowledge to help a client.
Want to build a relationship centered on God and positive communication? Then click the button below to set up a free 15-minute consultation call!