Therapy for Dating and Relationship Issues in Los Angeles

Are relationships a big source of your emotional pain? Working hard to find someone and it’s not working? Tempted to cheat or have already done so? Maybe you’re overusing substances to cope or your loved one is battling addiction?

When in these situations, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and want assistance. I imagine you want to feel grounded, to not have outside situations or people dictate your every move or mood. You want to be happier, contented, and satisfied. You are wanting to be and feel calm.

There’s no shame in seeking support--all people experience dating relationship issues from time to time. With the help of a relationship therapist, you can navigate whatever issues you’re facing.

Whether your dynamic with your partner is impacted by addiction, infidelity, anxiety, or any other issue, you can likely benefit from therapy for relationship issues.

Even if you’re currently single, relationship counseling can be helpful. If you’re struggling with finding the right person or just having a hard time with dating overall, consider speaking with a counselor. Therapy for dating can help you gain a stronger sense of your needs and learn about relationships in general. 

What to Expect From A Relationship Therapist

A Los Angeles dating and relationship therapist can help guide you to get to where you want to be. I am invested in your emotional health and happiness and will assist you in finding solutions and solace by exploring embedded beliefs, automatic thoughts, and attachment issues that are shaping your outside life. I encourage you to set up a consultation to experience my result-oriented style in person and see if working together feels like a good fit.

I am a licensed therapist and clinical director of Therapy for Adults, an intimate practice located in the heart of West L.A. As a Los Angeles therapist, my approach involves a strong investment in my client's emotional health and happiness.  Working together, we prioritize issues, triaging the most pressing and painful issues first.  Each client’s journey is different, and one that begins the moment you walk through the door. We work at a pace that is appropriate for your needs, establishing sustainable goals and milestones throughout your healing process.

I help individuals process and cope with all sorts of relationship and dating issues. Below are a few common issues that I see in my relationship counseling practice.

Reasons to Attend Therapy for Dating & Therapy Relationship Issues

General Dating & Relationship Issues

There are many common struggles that people face in their relationships. Having problems does not mean you are bad, or that your relationship is doomed--it just means that you are human.

Some themes that people often struggle with include intimacy, communication, attracting the “wrong type of person,” difficulty meeting people, and more. 

It’s important to note that while these are common issues for people who are dating or in relationships, they don’t need to be problems forever. By processing these problems with a relationship and dating issues therapist, you can reduce or even eliminate their impact on your love life.

Relationship Counseling Related to Addiction

When people have an addiction, it impacts every area of their life--including relationships.

Even if only one person in the relationship is struggling with addiction, both partners need support. If you are the person with an addiction, you may feel like your partner just doesn’t understand what you’re going through. Likewise, if your partner has an addiction, you may feel hurt that they’re not able to “just stop.”

Addiction commonly contributes to feelings of resentment in relationships. Those feelings are valid—but not always constructive. Accountability is important on both sides, but blaming does not help. 

It’s important for both partners to remember that addiction is an illness. It’s not the person’s fault, and it’s not as simple as “just stopping” substance use. However, addiction is treatable—and having both partners on the same page can help. 

In relationship counseling, you can learn more about addiction itself and process the unique ways that addiction impacts relationships.

For example, codependency can be a dynamic present in relationships affected by addiction. In therapy, we can determine if this is something you and your partner are dealing with and how to shift toward a healthier dynamic.

Trust, co-occurring mental health issues, and financial or legal problems are also common struggles that couples impacted by addiction experience. With the support of a therapist, you can process these issues fully. This can lead to a greater understanding of each other and can help strengthen your bond as a couple. 

Therapy for Relationship Issues Related to Infidelity

While it can be difficult to discuss or even admit, many couples are impacted by infidelity or a breach of trust. 

This often looks different from couple to couple, as each person (and partnership) has different boundaries. However, if one member of the relationship feels that a certain line of intimacy has been crossed, that likely constitutes infidelity.

It doesn’t necessarily have to involve physical intimacy with another person—emotional infidelity can be just as hurtful. 

Just as infidelity can take on various forms depending on the relationship, it can have different causes as well. Relationship issues therapy can help you identify and explore these reasons.

Having a greater awareness of these deep-seated issues can help you find ways to heal and strengthen your bond with your partner. It can also help each partner gain a better understanding of their own personal needs and desires.

Therapy for Relationship Issues Related to Anxiety

Anxiety is more than the everyday stress that we all tend to experience from time to time. People with anxiety are often crippled by uncontrollable worry, feelings of impending doom, and difficulty relaxing.

On top of all of the mental and emotional symptoms, people with anxiety often experience physical effects as well. These may include a racing heart, muscle tension, and stomach issues.

There’s no doubt that anxiety can be debilitating--and it presents unique challenges related to dating and relationships as well.

People with anxiety may be consumed with thoughts like, “Does my partner really love me?” They may also be plagued with overthinking every detail of the relationship. Furthermore, social anxiety can impact a person’s ability to date.

The good news is that anxiety is treatable. Relationship issues counseling can help people manage their anxiety and have a more fulfilling love life. 

Therapy for Dating, Even if You Are Not in A Relationship

You don’t necessarily need to be in a relationship to have relationship issues.

Dating is hard. It can feel defeating when things just never seem to work out with potential partners. You may start to wonder whether you’ll ever find someone, and maybe even start questioning your worth.

However, I’m here to remind you that you’re not broken. And with the support of a professional, you can gain insight around your dating habits. 

In therapy, we will explore what’s worked for you in past relationships--no matter how small. Together, we’ll strategize around building on those strengths and applying them to new partnerships.

We can also discuss elements of a healthy relationship, communication styles, and other topics that will help you feel more equipped to successfully navigate the dating world both online and off.

Relationship issues therapy can also help improve your dating prospects because it gives you the space to get to know yourself. Reflecting on your personality, needs, and love language will help you get a stronger sense of identity, which can bring a sense of clarity to your dating life.

How is Therapy for Dating & Relationship Issues Different from Talking to a Friend?

It’s a common misconception that therapy is “just talking.” This limited understanding of counseling often deters couples from getting the help they need. 

While relationship counseling certainly involves talking, it is much more than that. In therapy, you can process your issues, gain insight into your personal needs, and learn new skills to improve your relationships and dating life. All of this occurs in the context of a safe, confidential, therapeutic space.

I also bring years of education and experience to our sessions. The support of trusted friends is crucial, but working with a trained professional can help you in a way that friends cannot.