Relationship Therapy and Couples Counseling in Portland

Dr. Elizabeth D. Smith, PhD is a relationship therapist and couples counselor in Portland, Oregon. She sees both individuals and couples facing interpersonal challenges.

Relationship therapy for individuals and couples

Whether you wish to meet with a relationship therapist on your own, with your partner, or both, counseling can be highly beneficial.
Relationship therapy may allow you to identify the problem within your partnership or marriage, develop effective communication methods, and understand one another better.
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Individuals and couples often seek therapy to address:
  • Intimacy issues
  • Betrayal, forgiveness, and regaining trust
  • Parenting challenges
  • Infertility
  • Communication problems
  • Sexual orientation
  • Breaking out of a rut, boredom, or loss of interest
  • Lifestyle differences
  • Premarital and postmarital issues
  • Divorce or separation
Damaging behaviors may include chronic criticism, contempt, defensiveness, or stonewalling in which one or both parties “checks out” of the relationship. 
Without a plan for resolving your marital problems or other relationship challenges, the issues can snowball into resentment and anger or emotional disorders such as anxiety and depression.
 

Integral Psychotherapy

As an Integral Therapist, Dr. Smith uses a holistic approach to help individuals and couples make connections among the mind, body, and soul. As a result, you may achieve clarity and gain new perspectives.
In a series of sessions with a therapist, couples learn to recognize patterns and behaviors that are toxic, counterproductive, or detrimental to the relationship.
By determining these patterns and behaviors, you may be able to eliminate frustration and hurt feelings. In addition, meeting a psychotherapist about the challenges you’re experiencing might refresh your outlook on the relationship, allowing you to resolve your issues through actionable changes.
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Contact a SE Portland relationship therapist

Dr. Smith sees individuals seeking relationship counseling as well as married, engaged, separated, and divorced couples. She welcomes adult patients from all walks of life, including members of the LGBTQIA community.
To get started, contact Dr. Smith online or call (971) 303-8464 to book an appointment at her SE Portland office on Hawthorne Blvd.