Specialized Therapy Services Tailored Just for You
Couples Counseling
Couples therapy with Dr. Evans involves having each partner develop a clear and detailed understanding of his/her personality, as well as an understanding of their relationship and the role each partner plays in their relationship. The complexity involved is obvious, and a commitment to the process by both partners is critical. Many couples find they have the same arguments over and over in a descending spiral of negativity/irritation/anger/pain. Does something seem to have left the relationship, but you are not sure what or why? Does each partner listen when the other partner expresses his/her needs? Is there mutual respect? Has one or both partners unconsciously created the same kind of relationship his/her parents had? Did you fall in love with your partner’s persona, the fictional front we all put on for public consumption, only to find yourself married to a very different person later on? Is your partner verbally, emotionally, or physically abusive? Do you understand that true, lasting love is as much a decision as an emotion? Couples therapy may help you learn to resolve conflicts in ways that do not lead to irritation, resentment, and anger.
As part of the therapy process, Dr. Evans may want to have one or more individual sessions with each partner. It happens sometimes that one partner wants to work on their relationship with a professional therapist, but the other partner is resistant to the idea and refuses to participate. In such instances, the willing partner should begin individual therapy to help him/her deal with the relationship issues and the other partner’s refusal to participate. With time, the other partner may change his/her mind and join in on the process – or not - in which case this becomes one of the main issues to be addressed in individual therapy.
"To be free, first, you must choose freedom. Then the hard work begins."
- Sheldon Kopp
"To be free, first, you must choose freedom. Then the hard work begins."
- Sheldon Kopp
Family Therapy
Family therapists frequently view all of the members of a family as part of the problem, and it is the way the family members interact that causes problems. Dr. Evans recognizes that this may sometimes happen, but Dr. Evans also recognizes that one seriously dysfunctional or abusive personality can create problems for everyone and that marital strife can create an environment that is very damaging to children. In some families, one or more family members may have a personality or mood problem that they are not aware of, which contributes to the family dysfunction. One or both of the parents may have brought the dysfunctional environment in which they were raised into their new family. Family therapy with a very knowledgeable therapist may help explore the family rules, behavior patterns, and personalities that may contribute to a descending spiral of negativity and unhappiness. Needless to say, young children and adolescents have a lot to deal with in the healthiest families. Add family dysfunction or abuse to the mix, and their lives may descend into depression and anxiety, possibly for years.
Over time, Dr. Evans may ask to see only certain members of the family for one or more sessions, and he may want to see some family members in individual sessions. Family therapy can be very successful at helping families finally resolve old conflicts and issues that may have festered for years and create greater harmony among family members.
Individual Therapy
Psychotherapy or “talk therapy” can be very effective at treating many of the issues people commonly deal with. The client may already have some idea of what the problem is, or may discover “the real problem” as part of the therapeutic process. It always helps to have objective and alternative views pointed out and discussed as part of a collaborative and confidential relationship between client and therapist. Dr. Evans puts all of his clients through a process of self-discovery, during which the client experiences an inevitable increase in self-awareness accompanied by an equally inevitable increase in self-control. Healthier decision-making may emerge as the issues involved become more clear and desired goals become more rational and/or clearly defined. Clients will develop the skills to better handle unwanted thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Remember – everyone deals with something. You are not alone. It is a CHOICE to work towards a clear understanding of yourself and your environment and/or situation in a process where you can discover more effective solutions.
