Marriage Counseling Wake Forest NC
Transform Your Marriage With In Person Expert Guidance
You are tired of a stale, sexless marriage
You love each other, but are feeling exhausted and alone.
You feel like your marriage is not where it should be after 8, 10, or 12 years. You are missing that deep connection you once had beyond all the transactional shit you have to take care of day in and day out.
You have not been on the same page both physically and emotionally for way too long.
You are ready to change all this and get your relationship back on track. You are ready for healing.
Marriage Counseling Wake Forest NC Can help
Marriage counseling has the power to unlock real joy and deep connection in your relationship.
Through understanding, effective communication, emotional safety, repaired sense of trust and togetherness, conflict resolution, and rediscovering fun, you can create a marriage filled with intimacy and happiness.
You can find your path towards healing.
You can find your path towards forgiveness.
You can feel empowered to have a voice and know how to communicate it effectively with your loved ones.
“Working with Irina has been an incredibly meaningful experience for both my husband and me. From the very first session, her presence was undeniable — calm, steady, and completely attuned to both of us. She holds a space that feels both grounded and warmly human, striking the perfect balance between professionalism and heartfelt connection.
Because of her guidance, we not only understand our patterns, but we also now have the tools to move through them — with curiosity instead of judgment, and connection instead of disconnection. Our relationship feels stronger, safer, and more open because of the work we did with her.
We are deeply grateful and would recommend Irina without hesitation to any couple looking to heal, reconnect, and grow together.”
Why See a Therapist Who Specializes in Marriage Counseling Wake Forest NC?
Not every licensed therapist is equipped with the unique set of skills and knowledge to help a couple struggling in their marriage. In fact, most therapists do not have additional years of training to know how to effectively teach a couple to heal from their past hurts and feel connected. Think about it. If you need a hip replacement, are you going to go to a generalist who knows a little bit of everything or are you going to find a specialist who has been trained and has experience in hip replacements?
I bet you would pick the specialist because you’d want to make sure your legs are of equal length (ouch!) and your joints are not dislocated after the surgery. I know, I would!
Translating this analogy back to the mental health world, there is a number of issues that require additional training for therapists to be able to really understand and help clients. For example, things like an eating disorder, is a very serious mental health condition (Anorexia nervosa has the highest death rates of any psychiatric illness) and requires a team of professionals, including a therapist, dietician, a medical doctor and so on, all of whom need to have the knowledge, skills, and being able collaborate together to ensure client’s safety. So, since I don’t have this specialization under my belt, I always refer my clients to an eating disorder specialist. In the similar way, many clinicians without this specialized training (that I have and it took many many years) refer couples to me.
Irina’s Approach to Marriage Counseling Wake Forest NC
I will be honest-there are a lot of amazing therapists out there who are passionate and really good at what they do. I meet such therapists and collaborate with them on a monthly basis. However, some therapists are much less enthusiastic about their job. They are the ones I see snoring during the conferences and they are completely content with their “wash-rinse-repeat” kinda approach.
If you are like me, you’d probably hate to be stuck with the latter one because they most definitely suck.
I absolutely love my job. I feel honored to be trusted by my couples. I feel deeply moved by their vulnerable stories.
I love learning. I am always looking for the next insight, research study, podcast, break through that can help me and my clients to deepen our understanding about ourselves and our well being. I make recommendations for books and YouTube clips all the time.
And my clients can see and feel that passion and curiosity in our work together. Unlike many therapists out there, I do not think of myself as a expert, rather a fellow traveler. I believe that my clients are the experts of their life. And I believe that my clients have in built propensity towards self actualization where my job is to help them remove all the obstacles.
Sometimes I make mistakes and I admit them to my clients. I happen to have a pretty direct therapy style and I often worry that my words came out too strong. In that case, I’d go back and check in with my clients during our next session to make sure I stay relevant to them, but effective in what I do.
Oh I swear in sessions (when needed, which is often).
What Makes EFT So Effective When It Comes To Marriage Counseling Wake Forest NC?
Emotionally Focused Therapy, or EFT, is one of the most empirically validated interventions that revolutionized couple therapy. It was developed by Dr. Susan Johnson, a Canadian psychologist, and is primarily based on attachment needs and emotions. More and more love science points out that we are bonding animals, which means that our brains and nervous systems have been designed to feel loved and connected to our partners, knowing that they have our back when in distress.
My favorite part about EFT?
EFT does not see one partner as wrong or right. Instead, it sees the cycle as an enemy and helps partners to understand a bigger picture of the cycle. Here, the therapist helps the couple to reframe their distressful relational moments using attachment language, which couples find to be normalizing and liberating because they learn that there is nothing “broken” about them.
What To Expect from Marriage Counseling Wake Forest NC?
Let’s schedule your consultation for couples therapy in Wake Forest, NC
You’ve got three steps to take right now.
✺ Read this page with your partner
❇ Schedule a time together to talk to me
✴ Let’s get started
I pinky promise if we aren’t the right fit or I can’t help you I’ll refer you out. I don’t want to ruin my 5-star track record and I care more about you getting help than getting a new client.
Click here to schedule your free 15-minute conjoint consultation (that means together y’all!)
Frequently Asked Questions About Couples Therapy in Wake Forest, NC
What is standing in the way of beginning marriage counseling?
It can feel quite nerve-racking to start couples counseling with your partner for many reasons. These are some of many I hear from couples:
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Most couples are I work with are very well educated with big serious jobs. They are very intelligent. They are excellent problem solvers. Despite all of their professional achievements and skills, they feel so confused about being stuck in their repetitive communication cycles with no resolution. Mary says “ I am so tired of knocking on the door with no answer.” Over and over again. If this is you, I want to let you know that many intelligent people may also need help with navigating relational blocks. Relationships may look simple on the outside, but emotions are very complicated on the inside (my clinical training took me over 8 years!)
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There are many reasons why partners may feel apprehensive or even resistant to marriage counseling. Some grew up in families where you “don’t share your dirty laundry” with outsiders. Others don’t feel “it’s bad enough” to invest time and money into couples therapy. I see a lot of individuals who find themselves in the middle of a divorce that was initiated by their partner. They are shocked, devastated, and maybe even a little bit relieved all at once, and are not even sure what they are looking for besides processing this all and redefining themselves. If you feel overwhelmed and find yourself on the fence about your relationships, I am here to help you.
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Great question. I wish I could answer it for you without firs spending a little bit of time getting to know your relationship history, attachment wounds, and childhood patterns. But I can’t. What I can do is to let you know that whatever you are struggling and need help with, I have several great options for you:
Marriage Counseling Raleigh NC: you love each other, but feeling stuck
Individual Therapy: your partner won’t go to couples therapy or you want to work on yourself
Online Therapy North Carolina: only for those who live in the states of NC and VA, or abroad (read about top 3 truths about online counseling here)
Marriage Retreat in North Carolina: you want to jumpstart your marriage by doing 2 months of therapy in one day (read more here)
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You are feeling exhausted and hopeless. You are done with mediocre couples therapy. You want the best marriage counseling possible. This is why I love Emotionally Focused Therapy (or EFT). EFT revolutionized marriage counseling and research shows that 70 to 75 percent of couples who go through EFT recover from distress and are happy in their relationships. This can be you! I want this for you.
What people are saying on Google about Marriage Counseling in Wake Forest with Irina
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“We've just completed a full day EFT intensive with Irina, and are shocked how much we didn't know about how each of us was really feeling on the inside (we have been together for a very long time). This technique is simply amazing and I am actually excited to continue working on my relationship for the very first time ever. Just do it.”
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“Irina is such a joy to speak with. She has a warm and compassionate demeanor and is incredibly thoughtful, while also always being honest and asking you to do the same. She has so much knowledge on multiple therapeutical modalities and theories. I always love picking her brain and hearing what insights she has on different topics. She also consistently works to continue her own education and learn new ways to enhance her practice. I wish everyone could have someone like Irina in their corner.”
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“There are no words to adequately describe the incredible therapy I received from Irina. She is truly one of a kind. While struggling with divorce and all the feelings and emotions that entails, therapy with Irina was truly a Blessing for me. She is so insightful and knowledgeable in so many ways. My time in therapy with her changed my life!!!”
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Irina has been an absolute blessing in our lives. With her compassionate approach, she has not only helped to save our marriage but also guided us towards a future filled with love, understanding, and anticipation. We are now proud parents-to-be, expecting twins, and we owe a great portion of our unity to Irina's expertise.
From our very first session, Irina made it a priority to ensure that both my husband and I felt heard and understood. Her genuine nature and empathetic demeanor created a safe space for us to express our deepest fears, frustrations, and desires. Irina's ability to connect with us on an emotional level fostered a sense of trust that was vital for the healing process.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Irina's approach is her authenticity. She never hesitated to challenge us when necessary, encouraging us to confront uncomfortable truths and address unresolved issues. Her guidance extended beyond mere words, as she provided practical recommendations for activities and work that would help us rebuild our connection. We followed her suggestions, and even months later, we continue to reap the benefits.
What truly sets Irina apart is her genuine passion for counseling. It is evident that she isn't driven by financial gain but rather by a sincere desire to help couples find happiness and harmony. Irina consistently demonstrated that she had our best interests at heart, and she never hesitated to let us know when she believed we were ready to graduate from therapy or when she felt we needed more work. This level of transparency and honesty allowed us to trust her deeply.
If you find yourself in need of a marriage therapist who leads with compassion, authenticity, and true dedication to her craft, we wholeheartedly recommend Irina. She has the power to transform relationships and bring joy and fulfillment back into your life. Trust in her expertise, and you will find yourself on a path towards a brighter, happier future.
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“I'm so beyond thankful I found Irina during a critical time in my life. I needed someone to help me find solutions. She never imposed her own opinions or values on me and from the first phone call she made me feel heard and understood. Her advice to me has made a lasting impact and for that I'm so grateful. I do believe she genuinely cares.”
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Irina is a caring, compassionate therapist who is passionately committed to helping couples increase intimacy, , connection, and healing. With kindness, professionalism, and a refreshing balance of directness and humor, she works intentionally to create safety for tackling some of the real sticky issues that arise in relationship. I never hesitate to refer couples who are looking to deepen their relationship to Irina because i trust they will be in great hands.
What is holding you back from starting Marriage Counseling Wake Forest NC?
Imagine this for a moment:
Connecting on a Deeper Level:
Through marriage counseling, you are able to connect with your partner in a deeper way. Maybe even deeper than ever before. You really get each other. You have each others’ backs. You are finally on the SAME team, no longer fighting against each other. You are able to have conversations that bring back the love and understanding between you two.
Growing Closer:
You feel close and connected, enjoying life with your best friend by your side. Through marriage counseling, we'll find ways to deepen your emotional and physical bond. It's like building a strong bridge of love that brings you even closer.
Resolving Disagrements:
You still conflicts sometimes, but you now know that conflict is a part of any healthy relationship. More importantly, now you have the tools to navigate them. You are able to move through conflicts in a healthy way. You and your partner feel empowered to resolve disagreements and find compromises that bring joy and harmony to both of you. Who knew that after everything you’ve been through, you can learn how to turn challenges into opportunities for growth and understanding that work for BOTH of you!
Sharing Feelings and Listening:
Being able to share your feelings and listen to each other is super important. In counseling, you’ve learnt how to communicate better, so you can express yourselves and understand each other's needs. You feel like you’ve finally cracked a secret code that strengthens your bond.
Not Ready for Marriage Counseling Wake Forest NC Yet?
Browse these blog posts for relationship tips to optimize your marriage:
“Irena is incredibly talented! I initially saw her to address one specific issue, but our work together uncovered a few deeper things from my past that had been quietly holding me back in the present. With her guidance, I was able to heal old trauma and finally break free. The transformation happened in record time, and I truly feel like a new person. She is worth every cent of the investment, and the peace and freedom I feel now are absolutely priceless. I cannot recommend her enough!”