Amy Walker, LMFT

Couples Therapist
West Palm Beach, Florida

IN-PERSON | VIDEO


You entered into your couple relationship to bring happiness, connection, and growth into your life, right?

…but what do you do when your expectations aren’t being met, and you’re either watching your happiness dwindle, or it’s already in your rear view?

OF COURSE YOU KNOW RELATIONSHIPS TAKE WORK—BUT THIS MUCH?

 

The relationship you have with your partner impacts every aspect of your life.

 

If your committed relationship is making more withdrawals than deposits from your emotional bank account, you’re likely feeling the effects in many aspects of your life. Are you and your partner arguing constantly? Perhaps you’re not arguing, but instead, avoiding tough conversations? You might even be worried you’re turning into someone you don’t want to be or creating a life that is falling short of your expectations.

Past efforts to improve your relationship probably failed or lacked staying power, making you feel stuck and tired—two steps forward three steps back. You’ve probably tried talking to friends, family, and possibly other therapists, but nothing worked—not for the long haul anyway. If you relate to any of this, you’re likely realizing it’s time to turn up the volume and get serious about creating the relationship and life you want.

DO ANY OF THESE RELATIONSHIP WOES SPEAK TO YOU—YELL PERHAPS?

 

  • We love each other, but we’re basically roommates

  • I wish my spouse spoke to me differently

  • It seems like we only talk about the kids

  • I wonder if there is somebody else?

  • I feel the loneliest when we’re together

  • I’m worn out from all the pretending

  • Sex is an issue

  • I’m beginning to think a divorce may be the only option

  • It’s all just too overwhelming to think about

  • sometimes it’s just easier to pretend it’s not happening

  • Is it too late for therapy?

 

… THE GOOD NEWS IS

Your Relationship Can Be Different—Better

 

WHETHER YOU’RE SERIOUSLY DATING, ENGAGED, OR MARRIED, THERAPY CAN BE ONE OF THE BEST INVESTMENTS YOU AND YOUR PARTNER WILL EVER MAKE

 
 

Although couples therapy is often sought during an intense point in the relationship, it’s also an effective tool early on to increase connection, develop skills, and simply increase relationship satisfaction. Really, any committed couple can greatly benefit from couples therapy. The only requirement would be that the couple wants to grow, be better, and step up their game. The starting point is irrelevant.

Couples Therapy Is Not The Same As Individual Therapy With An Extra Person

 

Couples bring powerful and complex dynamics to therapy, requiring therapists to perform both mental and clinical gymnastics—the part I love, btw! Connecting with the right therapist who has the specialized education, training, skill, and experience to maneuver through these dynamics is EVERYTHING when it comes to a couple’s satisfaction with the therapeutic process. Some couples find the right therapist directly out of the gates, and some need to try-out a few before finding the right one. Finding the right therapist might be challenging, but it will be worth it!

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE THERAPEUTIC ALLIANCE—FIT

So, what is right? Right is less about how GOOD your therapist is (although being skilled and properly trained is pretty darn important) and more about how well you FIT with your therapist’s style and approach. Basically, you need to like and trust this person.

If your therapist is amazing on paper but a lousy fit for you in the office, you will likely be dissatisfied with your results. To be blunt, you’d probably get better results with a mediocre therapist whom you genuinely like, respect, and trust. It matters—a lot.

Check out this article on the importance of having a good fit with your therapist

 

I’m Amy, a licensed marriage and family therapist, and I think you need to like your therapist, and I think you’ll like me;)

Okay, so if you’re anything like me, you don’t like people telling you what you need! So, let’s just say, I think it’s helpful when you like your therapist, and at a minimum, important you trust them.

If you think you’d fit well with a therapist who is friendly and assertive, flexible and organized, fun and challenging, knowledgeable and humble, and don’t let me forget, loaded with real life experience, you’ve come to the right place.

LET'S GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER!
 
 

I DESCRIBE MY CLINICAL APPROACH AS POWERED BY SYSTEMS THEORY AND ORGANIZED BY THE GOTTMAN METHOD

 
 

Although my education and approach to couples therapy is heavily rooted in Systems Theory, I definitely draw upon the Gottman Method when working with most couples, especially at the onset of therapy, when structure and organization are needed most. Systems Theory drives my understanding of human behavior and provides the clinical lens from which I see—well, just about everything. It’s sort of like the engine, the powerhouse of my clinical work. For me, the Gottman Method serves more as a collection of tools and exercises— a toolbox.

With the guidance of a likable and skillful therapist, a good toolbox, and a little work on your part (okay, prob a wee bit more than a little), your stressful relationship can transform into a source of happiness, energy, and fulfillment. I strongly believe having all three of these things in place is critical for couples therapy to be effective—sustainably effective.

This article from Psychology Today offers a simple, yet accurate description of Systems Theory.

This article from Psychology Today offers more details about the Gottman Method.

“LMFT’s tend to see things in circles—not lines.”

I overheard another clinician say this, and it really resonated. I appreciate when a complex concept can be simply described.

MY PHILOSOPHY for working with couples and… um—for everything really

As mentioned above, my approach to therapy is strongly rooted in Systemic Theories of Therapy. In particular, three models (MRI, Milan, and Strategic) have the largest influence on my work with individuals, couples and families. The broadest premise of this type of therapy states:

The whole is greater than the sum of the parts. This means that from the systemic approach, emphasis is placed on the properties of the whole that result from the interaction of the different elements of the system. In general terms, the important thing is the relationship that emerges from the interaction between people.

Are you interested in weekly couples therapy or are you flirting with the idea of a weekend couples retreat?

 
 

WEEKLY APPOINTMENTS

 
 
 

WEEKEND RETREATS

 

Common Reasons Couples Come To Therapy

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    CONFLICT

    Learn how to fight better. Yep, I’ll teach you how to disagree in a way that brings you closer instead of breaking your relationship down. There are scientifically proven methods for how to do this.

    Couples who never fight or disagree are actually not happier than couples who disagree constantly. Couples who fight well are the happiest. I can teach you.

  • graphic off heart broken in half

    BETRAYAL

    Your relationship may never be the same. Knowing this likely activates some super difficult emotions for you.

    But if you think hard about this, do you really want that relationship—the one that lost its way?

    Or just maybe, the two of you need a new and improved one. Some of the happiest couples have weathered unimaginable storms.

  • graphic of empty bird's nest

    EMPTY NEST

    You may need a revised game plan for your relationship now that your nest is empty.

    When major members of a family system (AKA kids) outgrow the nest and fly away, things can feel shaky, stressful, and uncertain for the couple system (AKA parents).

    This shift can lead to a variety of unexpected feelings and behaviors for you as an individual, as well as for your couple relationship.

  • Graphic of person bored falling asleep

    BOREDOM

    Rediscover the spark you once had. Learn strategies to reconnect and have fun together. Play is an important component of happy relationships.

  • graphic of person art a crossroad scratching head in confusion as to which way to proceed

    CONFUSION

    Get clear about what you both want for your relationship and what you want for yourselves—especially what you want for yourselves.

  • graphic of wedding bands looped together

    READINESS

    Establish a game plan for a happy and healthy marriage. Did you know that happy marriages don’t just happen for some lucky couples?

    They happen for the couples who do a few specific things—well and consistently. I can help you learn these things.

MESSAGE ME

Schedule A Complimentary Phone Consultation

I’d love a quick chat to see if we might be a good fit.

Want to schedule a 15 minute complimentary call but don’t see any times that work for you?

 

Have questions before scheduling a phone consult?