Dona Laressa Desmond, PhD, LMFT

PreMarital Counselor & Couples Therapist

How do you talk to each other?

Good communication is one of the skills that most impacts marriage. It gives you a firm base for solving problems together, enhances intimacy and makes it easier to handle life as a Couple.

Do you have problems seeing eye to eye sometimes? Do minor conversations end up in unnecessary arguments? Do you disagree about your perceptions then you argue over who is right? I can help you learn to avoid conflicts and have smoother communication. This is an area of expertise for me and one we will cover together in our PreMarital Counseling sessions.

Why emphasize communication in PreMarital Counseling?

Marriages are inspired by love but often wounded by poor communication. It's helpful to check your level of effectiveness in this area before the wedding. I'll help you secure positive communication skills that you can build on once you're married.

What types of communication issues will be covered in PreMarital Counseling?

Staying calm while discussing difficult topics

Solving problems together smoothly

Getting on the same page about big decisions

Getting what you need without being demanding

Leaving the past in the past

Talk without attacking & blaming

Communicate without making things worse

Listen so that your spouse feels understood

Breaking bad communication patterns

Voice tone, timing & avoiding emotional escalations

Keeping respect, love, & tenderness in your communication together

More about communication

Relationships are very resilient. Ultimately marriages have cycles. Sometimes you feel more love, sometimes you have more sex, but the one constant is communication. It's something you will do every day so it's wise to lock in positive communication skills before the wedding. In PreMarital Counseling we will cover the healthiest ways to do this.

Email is the quickest way to reach me

I look forward to hearing from you.

Warm regards,

Dona Laressa Desmond PhD

CA LMFT