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The world of a special needs parent encompasses stressors, which are multi-layered, complicated, highly personal, and exhausting. When you have a child with a physical or cognitive disability, every breath you take feels like it revolves around their care. You essentially become a caregiver. I vividly remember when my parenting blurred into caregiver mode, and no words could accurately describe my journey. But I feel safe to say that if you're reading this and have a child with special needs (or someone close to you is experiencing this), you know exactly what I'm describing. Self-care is not only essential but critical (I wrote another blog post on this topic alone).
WHAT ABOUT THE CARE OF YOUR MARRIAGE? WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR RELATIONSHIP?
We are all aware of how day-to-day ups and downs of life can take their toll on marriages. When you add the component of the "special" parenting needed for our children with disabilities, our relationships can suffer and may require much repair and reprieve. As a parent of a cognitively disabled and speech-impaired daughter, I understand first-hand that no one is immune to this impact. Many don't even realize what has happened until many years later. For others, it is apparent quickly because their marriage has been turned upside down immediately. And although we may catch this shift and do what we can to reconnect on our own, for many, it feels like a daunting task, and they become hopeless and exasperated. If you are feeling this way, what can help your marriage?
MARITAL THERAPY CAN BE EXACTLY WHAT YOU NEED TO RESTORE, REPAIR, AND HEAL YOUR RELATIONSHIP
Let's face it, how easy is it for you to sit down together to process the pain you're feeling, the distance you are experiencing, and the doubts and fears that cloud your mind and heart? Do you have the mental and emotional energy to unravel any resentments, share any anger you feel toward one another, and do this on your own? A licensed marriage and family therapist can give you that space, time, attention, relationship expertise, and much-needed heart-to-heart communication you long for in your marriage. A respite for your relationship, if you will.
I have had so many couples sit on my couch and breathe a sigh of relief JUST to know they could escape the many demands of their life and finally tend to what started it all...their love for one another.
WHAT WILL WE EXPERIENCE IN MARITAL THERAPY THAT WOULD UNIQUELY BENEFIT US?
A DESIGNATED TIME/PLACE JUST FOR YOU AND YOUR SPOUSE TO HEAL AND RECONNECT
A THERAPIST WHO SPECIALIZES IN MARRIAGE AND FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
CONVERSATIONS THAT WILL HELP YOU UNVEIL WHAT IS UNDERNEATH THE ANGER
COMMUNICATION PRACTICE THAT WILL PROMOTE A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF ONE ANOTHER AND THAT FEELING OF "BEING PRESENT"
A VERY PERSONAL JOURNEY TOWARD MORE RESPECT, LOVE, AND RECONNECTION
THE EXPLORATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF SOLUTIONS TO YOUR MARITAL CHALLENGES
IN ADDITION TO YOUR RELATIONSHIP, SOLUTION-ORIENTED CONVERSATIONS REGARDING ANY PARENTING ROADBLOCKS
THE TIME/ATTENTION NEEDED TO RESTORE THE SOUL OF YOUR COUPLEHOOD
A GIFT THAT WILL BENEFIT YOU, YOUR MARRIAGE, AND YOUR CHILDREN
HOW WILL WE KNOW IT'S TIME TO INVEST IN A MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST?
If you are reading this and can resonate with all I said and feel in your heart that THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED RIGHT NOW....then you'll know it's time. You'll feel the same urgency you experience when you make appointments for your children; it just cannot wait any longer. And you, your spouse, your marriage, and your family deserve it!
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