Photo of Margaret P Ragan, Counselor in Overland Park, KS
Margaret P Ragan
Counselor, MA, LCPC, CEAP
Verified Verified
Overland Park, KS 66202
Waitlist for new clients
Problems overwhelming you? Ready to take action and make changes within a confidential, supportive environment? I've helped people with relationship issues; bereavement issues; job problems; substance abuse; traumatic events; stress and anxiety; women's issues; improving communication skills. I believe we gain new insights when we are able to look at our problems and lives through a different perspective. My goal is to teach clients new ways of perceiving the problem, healthy coping skills for responding to the problem, and healthy attitudes and communication skills for working with partners, families or work environments.
Problems overwhelming you? Ready to take action and make changes within a confidential, supportive environment? I've helped people with relationship issues; bereavement issues; job problems; substance abuse; traumatic events; stress and anxiety; women's issues; improving communication skills. I believe we gain new insights when we are able to look at our problems and lives through a different perspective. My goal is to teach clients new ways of perceiving the problem, healthy coping skills for responding to the problem, and healthy attitudes and communication skills for working with partners, families or work environments.
(816) 659-3145 View (816) 659-3145

More Therapists Nearby

Photo of Barbara L Mason-Palmer, Licensed Professional Counselor in Overland Park, KS
Barbara L Mason-Palmer
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, LPC
Verified Verified
Shawnee Mission, KS 66202
I'm Barbara L. Mason-Palmer; I've treated clients of all different ages and backgrounds ranging from 6 to older adults. My areas of expertise include Anxiety, Depression, Teen Issues, ADHD, Grief and Loss, Marriage or relationship issues and Family concerns. More commonly my focus in treatment involves that of Cognitive Behavioral, Psycho-Educational, and Psychoanalytic Therapy.
I'm Barbara L. Mason-Palmer; I've treated clients of all different ages and backgrounds ranging from 6 to older adults. My areas of expertise include Anxiety, Depression, Teen Issues, ADHD, Grief and Loss, Marriage or relationship issues and Family concerns. More commonly my focus in treatment involves that of Cognitive Behavioral, Psycho-Educational, and Psychoanalytic Therapy.
(816) 659-1348 View (816) 659-1348

Online Therapists

Photo of Jody Koerner, LSCSW, Clinical Social Work/Therapist in Overland Park, KS
Jody Koerner, LSCSW
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LSCSW, QCSW
Verified Verified
Auburn, KS 66402  (Online Only)
I work collaboratively with people to achieve positive outcomes. Some of the areas I work most often with clients are anxiety, depressed mood, family transitions including care-taking of senior age parents, couple and marriage problems, separation, divorce, grief and loss, parenting, blended families, combat stress, PTSD, adjustment to life-style changes including senior citizens, military family issues and stress over financial troubles.
I work collaboratively with people to achieve positive outcomes. Some of the areas I work most often with clients are anxiety, depressed mood, family transitions including care-taking of senior age parents, couple and marriage problems, separation, divorce, grief and loss, parenting, blended families, combat stress, PTSD, adjustment to life-style changes including senior citizens, military family issues and stress over financial troubles.
(785) 201-9945 View (785) 201-9945

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Couples Counseling Therapists

Does couples counseling work?

Research shows that couples counseling is effective; it can reduce relationship distress and improve emotional awareness, communication, empathy, intimacy, and overall relationship satisfaction. For example, emotionally focused therapy was found to be effective for about 75 percent of couples, and those benefits lasted at least two years.

When should a couple seek counseling?

Couples can benefit from counseling if they consistently struggle in their relationship. They may have lost the ability to communicate effectively, become entrenched in harmful patterns, begun to fight more than usual, broken the other’s trust, suffered from a mental or physical illness, or faced any number of other challenges. Many therapists offer free consultations, so if a couple isn’t sure whether therapy is necessary, asking directly can provide clarity.

How can I get my partner to go to couples therapy?

The decision to seek couples therapy is often driven by one partner, who then convinces the other to participate. When discussing the idea, the initiator should be direct and assertive. They can state the problems they see and explain how the relationship would benefit from therapy. In more serious cases, they can also explain how their relationship may suffer without making any changes or seeking professional help.

How does a couple prepare for couples counseling?

The anticipation of beginning couples counseling can be difficult—sometimes more difficult than the first session itself. Taking a few moments to reflect can allay those concerns: What are the current challenges? When and how did they begin? What do they want the relationship to look like in the future? Reflecting on these questions can help individuals or couples articulate their goals. Of course, the therapist will also ask questions and guide couples through the process.