Couples Therapy
Dr. Daniel Sieber is proud to provide couples therapy in NYC and virtually for NY and FL residents.
When you decided to build a life together, you likely didn't anticipate the two biggest stressors that would test your bond: parenting and managing your parents/in-laws. These two areas can be notorious for introducing tension, conflict, and silent resentment into a marriage. You might be arguing over different approaches to setting limits as parents, or how to handle your parents or in-laws. This isn't just external stress; it can be an emotional wedge that drives a barrier between partners, making you feel less like a team and more like two overwhelmed individuals battling on separate fronts.
The core problem is often a lack of a unified front. When one partner feels undermined by the other's parent or disagrees with their spouse's parenting style, it erodes trust and connection. Your parents or in-laws may inadvertently or intentionally violate boundaries, turning simple family gatherings into a minefield. Your children, seeing this lack of unity, may learn to play one parent against the other, further complicating the parenting dynamic. It's a classic case of too many cooks in the kitchen, and your marriage is paying the price.
This is where couples therapy becomes an essential tool, not a last resort. It's a dedicated space where you can learn to reduce conflict and identify the deeper, underlying needs that are fueling it. Are you fighting about bedtime, or are you really fighting about feeling respected as a parent? Are you arguing about your in-laws' visit, or are you arguing about a boundary that one of you feels is constantly being crossed? Therapy can help you get to the root cause and address the conflict as a team.
Couples therapy equips you with practical, powerful skills. You'll learn to create and enforce healthy boundaries with parents and in-laws as a united front, minimizing their intrusive influence. You will also develop a cohesive parenting strategy that aligns your values and presents a united presence to your children. Couples therapy transforms communication from a cycle of blame into a constructive dialogue. The goal is to move from a place of chronic stress and division to one of calm, mutual support, where your marriage is the priority.
You don't have to sacrifice your marriage to manage your extended family and children. Taking the step to seek couples therapy is the ultimate investment in your partnership and the creation of a harmonious home. Stop letting external pressures dictate the happiness within your marriage. Schedule a free consultation and begin building the cohesive team your family deserves.