RELATIONSHIP MINDFULNESS

Cultivating Awareness About Our World: Integrating Mindfulness into Everyday Life

In our fast-paced and technology-driven world, it's easy to become disconnected from the present moment and the world around us. However,...

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Nature of the Problem

Couples dealing with addiction, ADHD, or anxiety may experience challenges with emotional intimacy and presence due to various factors:

- Substance abuse can disrupt trust, communication, and emotional connection in a relationship. The focus on the addiction may overshadow emotional connection and impair intimacy.

- Symptoms of ADHD, such as impulsivity, distractibility, and difficulty with attention, can interfere with effective communication, emotional regulation, and presence inthe relationship.

- Anxiety: Anxiety can lead to heightened worry, overthinking, and difficulty being present in the moment. It can impact communication, emotional openness, and the ability to engage in intimacy.

These conditions can create barriers to emotional intimacy and presence by affecting communication, trust, emotional regulation, and the ability to be fully present in the relationship. Seeking therapy and developing strategies to manage these conditions can support couples in fostering emotional intimacy and connection.

How Couples Therapy Can Help

Couples therapy provides a structured and supportive environment for couples to improve communication and enhance intimacy. A therapist helps couples identify and address ineffective communication patterns, barriers to emotional intimacy, and unresolved conflicts. Through various therapeutic techniques and exercises, couples learn effective communication skills, active listening, empathy, and conflict resolution strategies. Therapy also provides a safe space for couples to explore emotional vulnerabilities, express needs and desires, and work towards developing a deeper emotional connection and intimacy within the relationship.

If you are struggling with this, I can help you to:

Feel normal and accepted in their struggles.
Be more comfortable with conflict or differences.
Have greater awareness about their feelings and to feel empowered and that their voice is heard in a safe place.
Learn to respectfully articulate their difficulties and challenges with their partner without hurting the other person.
Hear each other despite painful circumstances. A neutral outsider can be best when we are tempted to react emotionally.
Accept each other’s experiences in a safe place.

While we cannot control the outcome of a couple’s relationships, the goal of our work is to enhance greater emotional communication with each other, foster a greater relational connection (bond) and understanding of each other, and foster greater emotional and sexual intimacy with each other.

1. What is psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy or counseling, is a collaborative process between a trained therapist and an individual seeking support. It aims to explore thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and experiences to promote personal growth, emotional well-being, and address specific concerns. Psychotherapy encompasses various approaches, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and humanistic therapy, tailored to meet the individual's needs.
2. How long does psychotherapy last?

The duration of psychotherapy varies depending on several factors, including the individual's goals, the complexity of their concerns, and their progress throughout the therapeutic process. Some individuals may benefit from short-term therapy, consisting of a few sessions or weeks, to address specific issues or provide immediate support. Long-term therapy may span several months or years, focusing on deeper exploration and ongoing personal development. The therapist and individual collaborate to determine the appropriate duration of therapy based on their unique circumstances.
3. How do I find the right therapist for me?

Finding the right therapist involves considering several factors. It's important to seek a licensed and qualified therapist with expertise in the specific concerns you want to address. You can ask for recommendations from trusted sources, such as healthcare professionals or friends who have had positive experiences with therapy. Online directories and therapist matching platforms can also help you find therapists in your area. Additionally, it's crucial to feel comfortable and have a good rapport with your therapist, so scheduling an initial consultation or phone call to assess the fit is recommended.
4. Do you accept insurance?

For mental health issues, we accept Blue Cross Blue Shield and affiliates (CareFirst, Anthem, BCBS Federal Employee Program, etc.) and Cigna or Evernorth. HOWEVER, please note that to qualify for insurance benefits, therapy must be related to a mental health diagnosis, like anxiety, depression, PTSD, etc., that has medical necessity. Most insurance plans do not cover relationship or sexual issues. Yes, it is sad considering that these are often the primary drivers for mental health issues. Please do not ask us to bill your insurance for relationship or sexual issues without first contacting your insurance company to check to see if your plan covers it. (We don't want to keep asking them.) Also, we cannot make up a diagnosis either, as this is insurance fraud and can cost us our license and result in serious penalties. Plus, insurance companies occasionally audit psychotherapy notes to ensure that treatment is related to the reported diagnosis. You can always choose to skip insurance and pay for therapy out of pocket. This will maximize your privacy and widen your pool of therapists. Thank you for your understanding.
5. Is psychotherapy confidential?

Confidentiality is a fundamental principle in psychotherapy. Therapists are legally and ethically bound to maintain the privacy and confidentiality of the information shared during therapy sessions. However, there are a few exceptions to confidentiality, such as when there is a risk of harm to oneself or others, child or elder abuse, or when a court order requires the disclosure of information. Your therapist should explain their confidentiality policy and any exceptions during the initial sessions.

About Dr. Luttrell

Dr. Luttrell can help you reconnect and realign with your truth authentic self by restoring emotional intimacy with yourself, partner, family, business, or spiritual relationships. He believes that understanding emotions are important to overcome obstacles of shame, fear, or shame-based cycles of addiction. His focus areas tend to be on romantic relationships, sexuality, the impact of hurtful habits, and spirituality.

Testimonial

"Dr. Luttrell is very professional. He strives to obtain the most helpful resources for clients and keep up to date on relevant approaches to aid clients in their therapy journey. He is friendly and approachable and highly empathic."
- Vanessa Q. (former colleague)