Relationship Counseling

Couples | Marriage | Family Counseling

Growing old together irrespective of the problems that arise has not been a constant in the marital world. The irreconcilable differences adage has been doing the rounds and how, across the board. The cute gestures during courtship suddenly become a bane rather than a boon in the relationship.

Unbiased Help

Interference from family (both sides) can also cause a dent in relationships. That is why premarital counseling is the need of the hour. It gives both sides a way to iron the glitches, if any, before tying the knot. As a preventive against divorce, counseling works rather well, provided neither party dons blinkers, but says it like it is, during the session. It is not always easy speaking about cracks in a relationship with a stranger. However, there comes a time when you just have to do so, if you want to heal, together.

Mend Fences

Couples who find cracks in the relationship may find meeting a therapist an unnecessary choice. The first session provides the counselor with a vast range of information pertaining to the history and the troubles that the couple faces. Techniques and modalities used may vary from person to person. What really works is honesty and being open to discussions in a controlled environment. The counselor needs to avoid any personal bias when counseling. Usually, for couples counseling, it is necessary for both to attend the initial sessions. It is also fine if they see the counselor individually but to sort out issues it is always necessary to meet the professional together.

Collective and Individual Sessions

During various sessions, the counselor may request couples with a series of tasks to work on in the relationship. The objective is to hear both sides of the story that has caused the relationship to go out of control. Rational emotive therapy denotes that man is fallible. Using this as a guide, certified counselors ensure that they bring their A game to the table. The objective is for both people to see the other’s point of view. Meeting a counselor may open each other’s eyes to understand where the partner is coming from and try to work on the relationship. If neither is willing to bend and stick with the ego, nothing will come from the session.

Calling it Quits

Mending relationships is not always on the cards in relationship counseling. In fact, when the wounds are open and raw, it can become apparent that both would like to end the relationship. It can cause a series of ripple effects, but the bottom line is that if there were cracks that could not be mended, it may be time to call it quits. At the end of the day, it is about being true to yourself because if you cannot give the relationship a 100 percent, there is no point in trying. It is pretty much like a cracked pot - no matter how many stones are used to mend, it will break.  Meet with a counselor to mend the wounds and get past the hurt, as you individually heal.

Collaborative Therapeutic Services (CTS) seeks to maximize clients’ options by offering a variety of services, hours, locations and service providers with diverse specializations. We offer evening & weekend appointments. Have questions? Contact Us Here or Call 813-951-7346. Locations in Tampa & Brandon.

Therapy for Survivors of Abuse

Survivors of Abuse

Sexual assault occurs in the safest environments. Some of the most ‘common’ forms of abuse are relative to rape, forced sodomy, incest, forced objectified penetration in the anal cavity or the vagina, molestation, child porn, sexual harassment, and the list goes on. When there is non-consensual sexual contact, one can refer to this as sexual abuse. The reason why peoples inflict pain on others through unwanted sexual contact is to exercise a form of power over the person. Let us look into the therapy angle as to how one can get by after the abuse.

Report the Incident

Not many people would like to highlight the trauma that they have been through, but to bring the perpetrators to justice, it is necessary. Counseling centers help rape victims through the trauma by getting to know the circumstances and providing the victim with a way forward by reporting the crime.

After the Incident

Talking things over with someone who really understands the scenario is what a survivor needs. The pain does remain for a while, but once the person gets the pain off her/his chest, in a safe and controlled environment, s/he will heal.

Help for Children

Children who have been at the receiving end of rape or sodomy may take a very long time to talk about their pain. Rapists lure kids into a trap through an enticement method. They are also people who the child and parents may be close to; hence, the child may not find it easy to talk about the issue. A compassionate therapist will be able to help the child get past the trauma over time, through relatable methods.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse is unwanted sexual activity, with perpetrators using force, making threats or taking advantage of victims not able to give consent. Most victims and perpetrators know each other. Immediate reactions to sexual abuse include shock, fear or disbelief. Long-term symptoms include anxiety, fear or post-traumatic stress disorder. While efforts to treat sex offenders remain unpromising, psychological interventions for survivors — especially group therapy — appears effective.

Sexual abuse is a life altering experience, but with the right set of combative tools, recovery is possible. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps people adjust to intimacy. It does take time to get to this stage, sometimes even years, but with the right counselor; one can definitely get past fear and trauma. Relationships also improve, as does the behavior.

Forms of Therapy

The exposure therapy method can make the survivor of sexual assault shiver with fear. It could be a room that appears similar, the smell of something in the air, a color or the look of a person. The approach may seem rather convoluted, but it does help the person realize that not every situation or person is scary. Once they accept that, they find the benefits of this approach.

Rewiring the brain through eye movement and reprocessing therapy encourages the movement of the eyes in a subtle fashion. A survivor may not be able to trust anyone and because of that, s/he may not be able to look anyone in the eye. This method helps her/him relate to the world out there, and deal with things straight up. Instead of being downcast and scared, the person is encouraged to fight her/his demons and get by without giving up, a step at a time.

Collaborative Therapeutic Services (CTS) seeks to maximize clients’ options by offering a variety of services, hours, locations and service providers with diverse specializations. We offer evening & weekend appointments. Have questions? Contact Us Here or Call 813-951-7346. Locations in Tampa & Brandon.

Therapy for ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Children with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) need specific rules to keep their behavior in control. Enforcing them consistently is necessary though children are not very appreciative of rules. Behavior therapy through structured strategies ensures better ADHD conduct - here are a few ways.

Rules

You cannot be army like in this approach, but firmness definitely works wonders. It may take a while to get your child who displays extremities of behavioral patterns, but with the right set of tools, s/he will respond. The objective is to have a firm set of rules and stick to them, without bending. If need be, post them near the bed of the child, around the house and in places that s/he frequents, eventually your child will come around.

Cut them Some Slack

Not every child is the same. When parents make comparisons with other kids, the moods of the child suffering from ADHD will spiral out of control. The idea is to let on that no one is perfect. While the ground rules need to be followed, parents cannot demand perfection from their kids, expectations are okay, but demands cannot be cruel. If required, one can seek therapy with an ADHD qualified expert.

Encouragement

Everyone wants a pat on her or his back for a job well done. Kids respond rather well when they are appreciated. They automatically feel energized to better themselves and do not act out. For instance, if a child is inclined to paint, encourage him to speak his mind with color. By getting the child engaged in an activity, hyperactivity will slowly ease towards a state of calm.

Seek Help

If you have just learned that your child has ADHD, there is no need to panic. Help is always at hand through the medium of counseling. At the session (or a series of sessions), the professional will take into account the problem that the child faces, and work on bringing him out of his hyperactive behavioral patterns. During the session, parents may need to be counseled so that they understand certain methods to deal with their child. It is quite taxing handling a hyperactive child, but being sensitive goes a long way.

Discipline at Home & School

Work with a counselor and get discipline in place. As the child gets older, they cannot be ‘punished’ with rules of the early years. A high school kid, for instance, may bunk school. You may need to enforce a firmer set of disciplinary measures. Keep in touch with the school and learn about her/his behavior. It is advisable to negotiate with children instead of breathing down their necks.

Love Your Child

It can throw you off balance when you have no clue about how to handle ADHD. A good therapist will be able to help you find a balance with your emotions and the emotions of your child. It is tiring having to be alert all the time, but one beautiful method that works is to show your child you love him. Every child responds to parental love and hugs and kisses never went out of style. Let him know you care, and will always be there for him.

Collaborative Therapeutic Services (CTS) seeks to maximize clients’ options by offering a variety of services, hours, locations and service providers with diverse specializations. We offer evening & weekend appointments. Have questions? Contact Us Here or Call 813-951-7346. Locations in Tampa & Brandon.