Couples

Couples Counseling

I have worked with many couples, both heterosexual and homosexual, over the last 25 years, and I know being in a relationship can be both rewarding and stressful. Often it is a challenge to hold onto yourself while being intimate with your partner. Dealing with issues around money, parenting, managing a home, and other relationship issues requires working together. Sometimes differing views about how things should be done can cause you to be at an impasse and a neutral third person can help to bring you together, improve communication and renew your connection. I provide a safe, open space to help you and your partner to find your own voices and resolve your conflicts.

Addiction Couples Therapy

A great deal of my work has focused on building trust and emotional intimacy with partners and their loved ones who are recovering from addiction, be it alcoholism, chemical dependency, sex, gambling or shoplifting. If you are in this situation, it is important to know that there is often a grieving cycle for both partners and addicts that counseling can help each of you get through. You need to feel safe to heal. There is often much shame and lack of trust. Education about addiction helps, as does openness by both partners, and the support by someone who understands.

It is essential for recovery that you find a therapist who has expertise and experience in treating addictions. I am a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor, as well as a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist, with over 25 years of experience helping couples navigate the difficult road to recovery. I hope you will allow me to help you on your journey.

Divorce Counseling

Many couples come to therapy to try and heal their marriage, but sometimes a marriage cannot be saved. In those instances I can help a couple divorce amicably with as little pain as possible. If needed I can help connect you with a divorce mediator.

Premarital Counseling

At times couples planning to get married decide they need to explore certain issues before the wedding. It may be about religious differences, stepchildren concerns, age differences, financial concerns, etc. Talking through these issues with a third person can help you both come to a resolution so that you can move forward with your marriage with hope and certainty.

Gail Appel, MS, LMHC, CASAC, CSAT