Couples Therapy

What should I expect from Couples therapy?

I am Level I trained in the Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy, or PACT. I work with all couples from a PACT perspective, which means that I follow a number of different principles in my work. I am also trained in Emotion Focused Therapy and incorporate aspects of both approaches in my work with couples.

Principle 1: secure functioning

We all approach relationships with a variety of different experiences around intimacy, closeness, and love. Through the sum of our past experiences, we form attachment styles which influence the ways we interact with our partner. While our individual attachment styles stay relatively fixed, the attachment style of our relationship can change. The goal of PACT is to help you and your partner operate as a secure functioning couple. This means you each prioritize the relationship, have conversations openly and collaboratively about shared values, and approach problems and obstacles together. Most couples who come to see me have some degree of secure functioning already present in their relationship. My objective is to strengthen those secure parts that already exist, and to help you with the parts that might need some help.

Principle 2: My client is the couple, not the individual

When I see a couple, I make it clear that my main interest is the healthy functioning of the relationship. This means that if either partner is jeopardizing the health of their relationship (and usually both partners can do this from time to time), I will call them to task. This also means that I will not see one member of the couple without the other member of the couple present, and that I may forward any communication from one partner to the other partner.

Principle 3: Relationships contain the Potential to Heal

True, love can hurt. But it can also heal. We all approach our romantic relationships with some wounds from our past, and unfortunately (and fortunately) sometimes those wounding experiences can get played out with our partner. I say “fortunately” because this provides both members of a couple with an opportunity to heal. With the right tools, clients can learn to heal themselves and their partner in a deep, transformative way. When I work with a couple, part of the work involves a detailed inventory of past relationship models, family experiences, relationship experiences, etc. I also will incorporate exercises which help me understand the attachment-based and visceral reactions each member of the couple have to intimacy, closeness, and physical proximity. Through these experiences, clients not only learn about themselves and their partners on a deep level, they also learn how to heal their partner.

How do I schedule a first appointment, and how much does it cost?

I offer couples a free 20-minute phone consultation to discuss the course of therapy and determine whether it will be a good fit to work with me. To schedule a 20-minute consultation, you may contact me at 970-283-7711 or at ashleyboyntonphd@gmail.com.

Couples therapy sessions typically last 80-90 minutes, but may decrease in both frequency and duration as the couple begins to improve. An 80-minute session costs $292. I offer a sliding scale to a limited number of clients who would not be able to afford therapy without assistance.