Dr. Johns’ specializes in couples/marital therapy. Her approach is informed by systems theories, behavioral strategies, the Gottman Method, and humor.

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Why do couples go to counseling?

Couples seek counseling for numerous reasons and at various points in their relationships.

Common reasons couples work with Dr. Johns include:

• Making sense of and healing from an extramarital affair

• Difficulties communicating around topics of high importance to at least one person in the relationship

• Life transitions

• Sexual issues

• Depression in one or both partners

• Parenting concerns

• Grief and loss
   

Common outcomes include:

• Reduced anger and resentment

• Increased hope

• Reduced stress

• Improved parenting

• More joy and fun together

• Improved sexual relationship

• New perspective on old problems

• Greater ease at communicating around difficult issues

• Increased trust

• Reduced isolation

• Increased feeling of being understood

• Increased family cohesion
   

Does couples therapy work?

Research outcomes on couples counseling suggest that by the end of couple’s therapy, 75% of couples receiving therapy are better off than similar couples who did not receive therapy.

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What should we expect from Dr. Johns?

During the first session, Dr. Johns will get to know you as a couple. She will want to hear about your strengths as much as your areas of concern. In most cases, Dr. Johns will then see each partner for one individual session. After these initial individual sessions, Dr. Johns will meet with the couple for the remainder of sessions. Except in unusual circumstances, Dr. Johns does not serve as the individual therapist for someone she is also seeing in couple’s therapy. If Dr. Johns determines that individual therapy for one or both partners seems necessary for the couple to achieve their goals, she will share this recommendation with the couple and provide a referral.

Dr. Johns’ approach to couples therapy varies depending on the couple, their values, dreams, and concerns. That being said, defining qualities include:

• Able to connect and support both partners

• Able to guide couples in breaking “issues” down into manageable chunks so that therapy does not increase stress or overwhelm one or both partners

• Background in systems theories and solution-oriented approaches

• Goal oriented
   

If I/we am considering therapy, what are the first steps?

 

1. Call or email Dr. Johns to ask questions and/or schedule an initial appointment. During this brief telephone call, Dr. Johns will ask for some basic information about why you are considering therapy. In some situations, Dr. Johns may suggest that your needs would be better served by a different provider with a different type of expertise. In these situations, Dr. Johns will do her best to provide referral options.
    

2. Schedule an appointment. Texting 410-212-2522 is the best way to request an initial appointment.
    

3.  Read the information provided on the website under Practice Info. 
    

4. Read and complete the forms shared via the Client Portal. This saves time during the first appointment, protecting time to ask questions and cover other important aspects of orientation to therapy.  
    

5. Attend a first session and determine whether Dr. Johns seems like a good match.