Couples & Relationship Therapy
At OSTC we are sex-positive and support all relationship styles.
Couples and relationship therapy is for when
Relationship challenges often emerge as other areas of our life are strained. This often results from a major life shift. It could be a job loss or change, an injury and difficult recovery or readjustment, the loss of a family member, or moving to a new city—any major life hurdles that you are taking on together can pose new challenges to a relationship.
Relationship challenges can happen in many ways. Maybe you and a partner are struggling to communicate. You may be feeling stuck and it seems like all the little things are getting in the way or leading to unwanted flare-ups. Sometimes it feels like each week you find yourselves in difficult conversations and it feels like emotions are always high.
Another challenge can be preparing for and working through a transition. You may be making a big decision together, considering making a big purchase, adopting an animal or a child, or some other major change.
You may have reached a point where you know that it is time to grow. Often partners want a deeper or more authentic connection, and are looking for ways to enhance their relationship.
How relationship therapy works
Unlike individual therapy, where we focus on one person’s experience of the world, relationship therapy lets us examine spaces where there are discrepancies about how you understand and experience situations.
Even in relationships, each of us is always fundamentally unique, with different life experiences, and different expectations. But in a relationship, you can’t be an island. You have to learn to coexist, to make joint decisions, and to empathize with and to support someone who is by definition a very different person.
We will work on understanding where each of you is coming from, and the ways that may be unique. We will be unpacking assumptions about how you feel, and how you are communicating those feelings.
We will also identify how you interpret a partner’s communication, and work on making space for each partner to express their own feelings and needs. It’s easy to assume that in any situation, a partner will feel how you would feel, or they would act as you would. We will find ways for you to hear your partner, and to make sure that you are being heard. We will work on strategies for you to express your needs and be supported how you need to be supported.
Relationship therapy can help you grow together.
Throughout the therapy experience, we will give your relationship the tools to help you stay grounded and to develop shared understandings when you are facing challenges in your relationship.
We will help people in a relationship to develop the ability to be open and vulnerable, and to better understand how to hear, support, and experience joy with a partner.
You will learn how to show up authentically in your relationship, to grow through changes and challenges, and to develop a profound experience of togetherness.
In-person and virtual couples counseling and ENM-relationship therapy in Los Angeles.
If you are located in Los Angeles, our office are conveniently in the Silver Lake neighborhood.
If you are outside of the Los Angeles area, or just don’t want to drive. We offer telehealth sessions through out California.
OSTC is a LGBTQ+ therapy collective, where you never need to educate your therapist on who you are.