Services for Couples
Offering the Best Evidence-Based Treatment Options for Couples
Meet the Owner
Valerie Weeks, LCSW-QS, TF-CBT, CGT
Valerie is the owner of JoyfulMind Therapy and is also the head clinician. She is dedicated to offering the best evidence-based services to couples she can. After hearing many couples say, you are the 5th or 6th couples therapist we've seen, she's dedicated her practice to seeking out the best training she can to help her patients meet their treatment goals. She hopes to be the last couples therapist on your journey and looks forward to collaborating with you!
Discernment Counseling
Is recommended for couples who may be considering divorce, but aren’t sure if that’s the path they’d like to take. Divorce is a big decision and can feel heavy, emotional, and even scary. It makes sense you want to feel confident you are making the best decision for you, the relationship, and/or your family.
Often times, one partner is “leaning out” of the marriage—unsure about working on things and unsure if therapy can help—and the other partner is “leaning in”—wants to work on things and is hopeful therapy can help. Discernment counseling gives you time to slow things down and explore the available options/paths and decide which one you’d like to pursue.
Path 1: Maintain the status quo—stay together without therapy
Path 2: Prepare for separation or divorce
Path 3: Commit to 6 months (or more) of couples therapy (see treatment options below)
Gottman Method
Couples Therapy
If you are looking for quality couples therapy then Gottman Method Couples Therapy is what you are looking for. It is based on Dr. John Gottman's research that began in the 1970's and continues to this day. His research has focused on what makes relationships succeed or fail. From this research, Drs. John and Julie Gottman have created a method of therapy that emphasizes a "nuts-and-bolts" approach to improving a couples relationship. Valerie is Certified in Gottman Method Couples Therapy. The Gottman Method is an effective, evidence-based therapy for many types of couples: heterosexual, gay, lesbian, etc. Visit Gottman.com to learn more about this treatment model.
Emotionally Focused
Couples Therapy (EFCT)
If you’re looking to deepen your connection, manage emotional challenges, strengthen your sense of self as a confident and competent person, and improve your romantic relationships, Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy will be a transformative choice. It’s about building stronger connections, understanding self and each other better, and fostering emotional health, all of which are key to a happier, more fulfilling relationship.
EFCT is a highly effective form of couples therapy and is based on the principle that our emotions are central to our experiences and our relationships—we're naturally designed to have a secure sense of who we are and a sense of self we can trust and rely on. This solid base allows for strong, supportive bonds with others, and when these bonds are secure, we tend to be happier and healthier. It’s not about finding quick fixes; it’s about getting to the heart of the matter and creating lasting change.