carpenter couple & family counseling, pllc

From the outside, your relationship might look solid. You’re managing life, sharing responsibilities, and showing up for each other. But internally, something feels missing. Many couples struggle with a relationship that looks good but feels empty - and feel confused or even guilty for wanting more when nothing is “wrong”. This quiet dissatisfaction is more common than you think.

Most couples don’t come to therapy saying, “We don’t communicate.” They come saying, “We keep having the same argument,” or “I don’t feel heard,” or “We talk, but nothing changes.” Communication issues in couples are incredibly common - and they’re rarely about a lack of effort or love. More often, they’re about patterns that develop under stress, attachment needs, and emotional history. Below are some of the most common communication challenges couples face, and why they hap

Engagement is often filled with excitement, hope, and future planning. You may feel deeply connected, aligned on values, and confident in your relationship. So it can feel confusing when premarital counseling is suggested. After all, nothing is wrong. But premarital counseling isn’t about fixing problems. It’s about preparing for the realities of long-term partnership before stress, resentment, or disconnection have a chance to grow.

Starting couples therapy can bring up a mix of hope, curiosity, and understandable questions. Many couples wonder “Is therapy right for us?” or “What actually happens in sessions?” Keep reading to see answers to some of the most common frequently asked questions about couples therapy to help you feel more informed and at ease as you consider taking this step.

The start of a new year often brings pressure: lists of resolutions, lofty goals, and a sense that if we don’t change everything at once, we’ve failed. But what if there was another way? What if instead of resolutions, we focused on intention, reflection, and small, meaningful actions that actually stick?

The holiday season brings a mix of joy, pressure, expectations, and family dynamics. For many couples, this time of year highlights both the strengths in the relationship and the areas where stress tends to surface. Between packed schedules, differing traditions, financial pressures, and emotional triggers, it’s easy for couples to feel disconnected or overwhelmed. The good news? With intention and communication, the holidays can become a time of deeper connection - not confl

For many people, the holiday season brings warmth, celebration, and a sense of togetherness. But for others, this time of year activates stress, grief, loneliness, difficult family dynamics, or emotional exhaustion. If the holidays feel hard for you this year, you’re not doing anything wrong - you’re having a very human response to a very emotionally complex season.

Every couple goes through ups and downs - stressful seasons, communication misfires, emotional distance, or changes that shake up the rhythm of the relationship. Needing support doesn’t mean something is “wrong” with your partnership. In fact, many couples choose therapy not because they’re on the brink of separation, but because they care enough to strengthen what matters.

We often wait for a "big enough reason" to begin therapy. A crisis. A relationship falling apart. Anxiety that won't go away. But the truth is: therapy isn’t just for the hard moments — it’s also a powerful space for growth, clarity, and healing. If you've been wondering whether now is the time to start therapy, here are a few gentle signs that you may be ready to take that step. 1. You’re feeling stuck — and not sure why. You might be going through the motions, but something

We all have moments in relationships when our reactions surprise us—or our partner, friend, or family member. Maybe it’s snapping at a...