Ready to make a change?
Hi! I'm Kathleen. I'm a therapist based in Northwest Philadelphia. In addition to individual therapy, I offer in-person couples therapy rooted in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy.
The focus of my work with couples is on the patterns couples get stuck in as they relate to one another. Rather than rehearsing the same attempts to just-do-better, we will focus on what's actually driving the patterns you're stuck in. By addressing the feelings and fears beneath the surface, change can feel more natural and sustainable.
About my approach: Integrated ACT & IFS
The heart of my therapy approach is called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). ACT is an evidence-based therapy approach that helps people shift from a reactive way of living to an intentional, open posture. In relationships, this can be transformative particularly when couples are steeped in cycles of responding to triggers in a way they later come to regret.
When working with couples, I also integrate Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy into my work. IFS is a type of therapy that helps couples understand one another in a more empathic way by recognizing that each of us feel multiple things at once and that oftentimes, underneath the surface of those feelings is a deeper hurt that needs to be addressed. IFS brings a unique way of helping people connect with hurt or defensive parts of themselves and each other with greater compassion and openness.
Through this approach, you’ll work towards seeing one another more clearly, holding each other with compassion that isn’t forced, and relating to each other in ways that are rooted more in the type of people and partners you want to be than in the reactions that bubble up when deeper feelings go unaddressed.
Who is it a fit for?
This approach is a good fit for couples who want to themselves change rather than to be fixed in a more passive way. It's an approach that’s fundamentally oriented towards helping each partner be a better, more values-rooted version of themselves and also more open to experiencing one another as a whole, feeling person in a new way. It won’t be a fit if you aren’t open to truly look at yourself and risk the vulnerability of change or of feeling feelings. But, if each partner wants to and is willing to change and grow and do what it takes to get there, and if it feels like the heart of the issue is how to do that rather than wanting to do that, it’s likely we can do some really meaningful work together.
What could we expect in couples sessions?
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We’ll begin by talking about what’s been happening in your relationship that’s made now feel like a good time to look for support
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We’ll map out (literally, on a big piece of paper) some of the cycles that you’ve been stuck in, looking at how you trigger each other but also how you handle your own feelings and triggers within yourself
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We’ll look at what’s reinforcing the cycle particularly in places where one or both partners are reacting to one another in ways they either later regret or wish they could change
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We’ll explore each partner’s experience of those difficult moments and get to the heart of what’s coming up for each person at those times. This might be deeper work of noticing old hurts or insecurities and how those may be surfacing in the relationship in unexpected ways
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We’ll notice and feel feelings as needed and also see what that uncovers about how both parties can make small shifts in the cycle that might lead to meaningful change
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We’ll come up with different experiments to try with one another in making small changes in how you relate to each other as well as to your own thoughts and feelings
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We’ll repeat a similar process with different cycles and patterns that tend to surface until there’s been enough of a shift that you are relating to one another in ways that reflect both of your values and your shared values for the relationship
Interested in moving forward?
If you're interested in moving forward, you can reach out to me and we can schedule a time to all meet for a free consultation. I would be honored to connect with you!